Henniker, NH

   Kenneth L. French, 86, of Keene, NH, died peacefully Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Cheshire Medical Center following a brief illness.

   He was born April 23, 1925, son of Alfred and Mildred (Connor) French in Henniker, NH.  He graduated from Henniker High School in 1943 and lived on the family farm in Henniker until entering the 2^nd World War in 1944.  He served in the South Pacific, as a combat infantry man until the end of the war.  He received the Combat Infantry Badge and 3 Battle Stars: The Asiatic Theater, Liberation of the Philippines, and the Fall of the Island of Luzon from the Japanese. He also served as a personal guard for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ken was honorably discharged in 1946. 

   He graduated from UNH Thompson School of Agriculture in 1949.  He was a 4-H Leader in Henniker and past Master of the Bear Hill Grange #39.  He hauled logs for the Washburn Lumber Co of Pittsburg, NH 1949 -1950, pulp for the Brown Co of Berlin, NH 1951-1952, and lumbar for Karl Upton of Hancock, NH 1953-1957. 

   In 1954, he married Sally Starkey of Hopkinton, NH, and they had 4 children. They resided in Keene, NH and enjoyed summers at their cottage on French Pond in Henniker.  Ken was predeceased by his oldest son, David L. French in 1995. 

   Ken took the Civil Service Exam in 1958 and received an appointment to work for the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Keene, NH.  Ken retired from USDA, Soil Conservation Service in 1980.  He then took over the position of Dairy Herd Improvement Supervisor for Cheshire County the same year, and retired in 2005 after 25 years for Dairy One, Ithaca, NY. 

   Ken was a past President of the Cheshire County Association for Retarded Children, former Director of the Keene Community Chest, a Director of the Cheshire County Farm Bureau, a Secretary for the Board of Supervisors of the Cheshire County Conservation District, and a Member of the American Legion, Post 4, in Keene, NH.  Ken was a Director of the Granite State Gas and Steam Engine Association.  He attained 1^st place as a good boy in the Old Timers New England Club, and was a lifetime member of the Keene Cast in Brass Antique Engine Club.  He was a past Secretary of the Cheshire County Fish and Game Club, a past Director of the Cheshire Fair, and a past Superintendent of the Cheshire Fair Forage Department.  He also served 40+ years as Clerk of the Cheshire Fair Dairy Show. 

   Ken was best known for his wit and Yankee humor, as well his resourcefulness, ingenuity, and inventiveness.  He loved spending time at his cottage, rides on his party boat with his son, David, and celebrating with his family.  Ken also enjoyed historical and environmental walks with the Cheshire Walkers and visiting with his farmer friends.

   Ken is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sally S. French, of Keene, NH, his daughter, Marlene A. French, son, Jeffrey S. French and his wife, Amanda G. French, and son, John S. French and his wife, Brandy L. French, who all reside in Henniker, NH.  He has 5 grandchildren:  Kristen St. Pierre of Hopkinton, Lianna French, Kenneth French, Cheyenne French, and David French, all of Henniker.  He is also survived by three brothers: Durwood French, Richard French, Sr., and Robert French, also all of Henniker.  Ken is also survived by many favorite nieces and nephews. 

   A graveside service will be held at the New Cemetery in Henniker, NH on Saturday, October 29, at 11:00am, with a celebration of his life following. 

   The Holt- Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service Henniker, NH is assisting the family. For more log on to www.holtwoodburyfh.com

   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Granite State Gas and Steam Engine Assoc. (GSG&SEA), Steele Lightbody, 760 South St., Walpole, MA 02081.

To email condolences or sign guestbook please click here.