James Monroe French, 68, of Somerville, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on March 13 at his home surrounded by his family and friends and his pets.
He was born at home in Somerville on June 18, 1942, the son of Eunice C. French and Raymond Hill.
He was employed in many professions, a construction worker, driver of dump trucks, the Cascade woolen mill, Tank & Culvert as a welder; he was a self-employed woods worker. His passion was being a tractor-trailer driver, he worked for Franks and Son, F & F Trucking and lastly as an owner operator of his own Peterbuilt.
Jim loved hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his family and friends. Jim also enjoyed a good glass of Crown Royal with his friends from time to time. He loved his dogs, they were his babies
Jim was predeceased by his grandfather, Byron French; mother, Eunice Hill; father, Raymond Hill; sister, Helen Tabor; brother, David French; brother-in-law, Brian Lamoreau; close cousins, Bruce French and Clint Pierpoint; and best friend Leroy Weaver.
He is survived by the two loves of his life, Nancy French and Penny Kochakian, both of Somerville; sons, Frank French of Somerville, Wayne French of Oakland and Steven Smart of Palermo; daughter, Christina (French) and husband John Goulet of Vassalboro and Jayne Smart of Thomaston; brothers, Merle French and wife Mary of Somerville and Thomas French of Somerville, sisters, Ellen Lamoreau and Judith French, both of Somerville; brother-in-law, John Tabor of Farmingdale; cousins, Elbridge Snow of Somerville, Albert French of Vassalboro, Fred French of South China and Mark French of Augusta; very close friends, Glen Corrigan, Michael Berry and Donna Hartzog, all of Somerville; granddaughters, Alexandria Goulet, Jessika Goulet and Nicole Brown, all of Vassalboro; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and beloved dogs, Sandy and Tara.
Memorial services 6 p.m., Sat., April 2 at the American Legion Hall in Augusta, being led by Janice Hisler.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions and donations to Christina Goulet, 1011 Riverside Dr., Vassalboro, ME 04989.
Arrangements are under the direction of Smeltzer Family Cremation and Funeral Service, Waldoboro.
