THEODORE FRENCH

tedfrench@comcast.net

64878 41st Street / Paw Paw MI 49079

Spouse: Laurie Cone French

Children: Andy French, 40, lives in Hudson, NY with his wife Dani, and two daughters, Flo and Mae

Education: Graduated from WMU in 1975 with a BS in Automotive Technology/Business

Bio: After completing college, Laurie and I moved from Kalamazoo to Paw Paw and I began working for a small company called Kysor, that made tungsten carbide for cutting tools. The company was purchased by a division of General Electric Corp. and I stayed on with them for 13 years becoming the plant manager. The shifting economy caused the home office in Detroit to move operations over there and we opted to stay on the west side of the state. Soon after, I switched gears and went to work for a company called Knouse Foods Cooperative, right in Paw Paw (great commute!) We packaged and canned apples, cherries and blueberries for Musselman's and Lucky Leaf foods. We made applesauce and apple juice and also co-packed and bottled for Arizona Tea. I was the Warehouse Manager in charge of all shipping and receiving and ordering of all supplies and raw materials.

I retired after 28 years at the end of 2017. Laurie and I have lived in our home on 3 Mile Lake since 1998 and enjoy boating and being on the water. It is a great stress reducer and the view never gets old. I fully restored a 1955 Century Resorter and we like to use it on the lake, as well as towing it up north to the French Family cottage on Crystal Lake.

I like to ride motorcycles, currently a classic 1986 Honda Goldwing Aspencade 1200 SE-i and will tinker with just about anything (antique boat motors, tractors, etc.) out in the pole barn that bears the name, "Ted's Toys!"

Laurie and I enjoy traveling and have had the opportunity to go to lots of different countries, as well as areas of the US. Our favorite destination will always be Hudson, NY, home of our son Andy, wife Dani, and our two wonderful granddaughter, Flo 5 and Mae 2. Now retired, we have the opportunity to drive out often and use the titles of Papa and Grammy, best job ever!

My photos:
Our trip to Australia and New Zealand aboard the Volendaam.  This Holland-American ship was  CAPTAINED by my Dutch brother from my YFU family of  the Netherlands in 1969.  He treated us like royalty and, yes, I have stayed in touch with them for these 51 years. We have also stayed with my Dutch sister, who now lives in Belgium, and visited with my 94 year old Dutch mother who is vibrant and lives independently near Amsterdam / Our dream was to go to Paris and we did one month after we retired!  Aboard a Viking riverboat cruise (highly recommend this line!) we toured France and the beaches of Normandy, a emotionally staggering place /  Laurie with a few of the dancers from the Cabaret in the Latin Quarter of Paris, OOOLALA!!