Marcel Patrick French

Marcel Patrick French, 74, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2012 at the Carl T. Hayden V.A. Medical Center in Phoenix. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 6th from 5:00-8:00 pm with rosary at 7:00 pm at the Lakeshore Mortuary 1815 S. Dobson Rd. Mesa, AZ 85202. Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Timothy's Catholic Community Church located at 1730 W. Guadalupe Rd. Mesa, AZ 85202 on Monday, May 7th at 10:00 am followed by a reception at the church. Marcel will receive military honors at the service and will also be proceeded in by the Knights of Columbus. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Carl T. Hayden V.A. Medical Center http://www.phoenix.va.gov/giving/. Marcel and Winnie cannot thank the V.A. center enough for everything that they have done over the years to care for our dad and want nothing more than to give back so that others may benefit.

Serving as casket bearers will be Marcel's 9 children, Craig, Cory, Curt, Chris, Chanell, Colleen, Camille, Camissa, and Chanda. Two of Marcel's children, Camille Burkhardt and Curt French will be reading scriptures at the mass. Gift bearers at the mass will be Chris and Edith French along with grandsons Marcel and Christopher French of Carlsbad, CA. Marcel's granddaughters, Erin Isakson, Anna Cannella, Megan Blair, and Mary Burkhardt will pass out programs and his grandsons, Justin French, Jacob French, Brice Isakson, Paul Fuson, Benjamin Burkhardt, and Lucas Blair will serve as ushers.

Marcel was born on June 13, 1937 in Grafton, ND to loving parents, Ernestine Marie (Lessard) and Henry Joseph French. He was one of 16 children and the twin brother of Marcella Margaret French. He came from a very devout Catholic family and many family members served the Lord in different ways. Marcel attended St. Aloysius Convent Academy in Oakwood, ND. He was a loving husband, an amazing father, a caring grandfather, adoring great-grandfather, and most importantly a son of Jesus. Marcel served his Lord and his country in the United States Army. He was a Knights of Columbus brother for 52 years, a banker for 35 years, and a parishioner of St. Timothy's Catholic Church for many years.

Marcel married Winnifred Doris Narlock on April 27th, 1960 in Warsaw, ND at Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church. The union was officiated by cousin Raymond Lessard who later became a bishop. Even before they married they knew that they would have at least six children, so they started their family in North Dakota with 3 sons and a daughter. They moved throughout the midwest (North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) as Marcel's banking career progressed and their family continued to grow . God felt that they could handle more than six children and blessed them with nine beautiful children (including two sets of twins). After many years living in Amery, Wisconsin, Marcel and Winnie moved to Arizona where they have resided since 1986. Marcel and Winnie's children reside in Wisconsin, Arizona, California and New Mexico.

Anyone who knew Marcel will remember him as a man with a big heart who would do anything he could to ease any burdens. He believed in the power of prayer and shared his faith with all, especially his children and wanted more than anything for his children to have a loving relationship with God, his father. Marcel was always a hard-worker and dedicated to providing for his family whom he loved dearly. He loved playing cards, but hated losing especially to cheaters or incompetent players. He enjoyed golfing and even played hockey in his early days. He loved watching sports and politics on TV and would often make remarks even though the refs and politicians would not have heard him. Flirting and being mischievous were a couple of Marcel's daily forms of entertainment, which kept him young at heart. He encouraged us to live life to its fullest and always had a smile on his face. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Winnifred French, his 3 sons, Craig Marcel French (Kathy Casteel French), Curt Philip French (Denise Lydia French), and Chris Henry French (Elda Edith French), and his 6 daughters, Correen May Isakson (Neil Allen Isakson) , Chanell Jane Fuson (Steven Banks Fuson), Colleen Patricia Blair (Daniel John Blair), Camille Philomeana Burkhardt (Kevin Burkhardt), Camissa Doris French, and Chanda Sharon French. Marcel also has 16 surviving grandchildren, Steve Frederick Westphal, Heather Lea Rosendahl (Leon Walker), Justin Rao French (Heather Leigh French), Brice Allen Isakson, Joshua David French, Ian Lars Isakson (Leah Lynn Isakson), Erin Doris Isakson, Jacob Walter French (Christina French), Paul Auguste Fuson, Benjamin Tyler Burkhardt, Mary Elizabeth Burkhardt, Anna Marie Cannella, Megan Danielle Blair, Lucas John Blair, Marcel Joseph French, and Christopher Alexander French and 6 great-grandchildren, Hailey Marie French, Brandon Michael Mannion, Brianna Lillian French, Anthony Carasco French, Christian Blake French and Grace Carolyn Isakson. Marcel was preceded in death by his grandson Cole Philip French, soul of grandbaby Fuson, and parents Marie Clara Ernestine French (Lessard) and Joseph Henry (Henry) French.

Among many other relatives (uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews), Marcel was also survived by 3 brothers, Wilmer Eugene French, Edward Lawrence French (Larry), Joseph Henry French, Jr. and 9 sisters, Doris Mae Langowski (Stanley Francis Langowski), Lorraine Frances McCoy (Joseph James McCoy-deceased), Rose Alma Elaine Kostecki (Julian Jacob Kostecki- deceased), Annabelle Delphina French, Marcella Margaret Holweg (LuVerne Holweg), Germaine Elizabeth Pokrzywinski (Amie Julius Pokrzywinski), Helen Jeannie Leah (Jane) Osowski (Donald John Osowski), Estelle Theresa Jeanette Vanyo (Daniel Richard Vanyo), and Geraldine Marilyn Dirocco (Francis William Dirocco). He was preceded in death by sisters, Marie Delima Blanche Synder (Donald Francis Synder - deceased), Marybelle Georgette Raymond (Darrell Raymond), and Clarabelle Eva French.

Lakeshore Mortuary is handling funeral arrangements and friends and family may sign the online register book and share memories at www.lakeshoremort.com. The French family extends many blessings to all who knew Marcel and want to remind everyone what a precious gift life is and to cherish every moment with those you love.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Carl T. Hayden V.A. Medical Center http://www.phoenix.va.gov/giving/needs.asp

Marcel & Winnie cannot thank the V.A. center enough for everything they have done over the years to care for my dad and want nothing more than to give back so others may benefit.