Person:John French (38)
Rev. John Gerard French
b.28 May 1908 Brechin, Ontario, Ontario, Canada
d.23 Oct 1996 Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada
Parents and Siblings
(edit)
  1. Rev. John Gerard French1908 - 1996
  2. Margaret Mercedes French1909 - 1967
  3. Mary Agnes Bridget French1911 - 1993
  4. William James French1912 - 1975
  5. Mary Christena French1913 - 1913
  6. Philip Leo French1914 - 1992
  7. Marion French1916 - Bef 2010
Add Spouse and Children
Facts and Events
Name Rev. John Gerard French
Gender Male
Birth[1] 28 May 1908 Brechin, Ontario, Ontario, Canada
Ordination? Roman Catholic Basilian Priest
Death[2] 23 Oct 1996 Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada
Burial? 26 Oct 1996 Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, York, Ontario, Canada
Reference Number? 15453
References
  1. ↑ Church baptism record
    St. Andrew's R. C. Ch., Brechin, Ont.: LDS film # 1305891, iterm # 2, p. 82.

    QUAY 3

  2. ↑ e-mail 9 Apr 2005 from Mary Lane-m.j.lane(at)sympatico.ca.

    I came across a posting The Basilian Newsletter of November 08, 1996
    with an obituary for Father Gerald French son of William James and Mary Ann
    (Ferguson) French of Brechin, Ontario. There is also mention for two of
    Gerald's sisters Margaret Marcedes and Mary Agnes both nuns.

  3.   Basilian Newsletter-.

    obit from 'THE BASILIAN NEWSLETTER' Nov. 8th, 1996
    John Gerald (sic) French was born in Brechin ON, on MAY 28th, 1908, to William James and Mary Ann (nee Ferguson) French. Fr. French recieved his early education in Brechin and at St. Jerome's College, Kitchener, ON. From 1924 to 1926 he studied at St. Michaels's College in Toronto after which he entered the Basilian Novitiate where he professed his first vows on Sept. 30 th 1927. ....
    After Novitiate he attended the University of Toronto and recieved his B.A. in 1931 and his teaching certification in 1932. Fr. French taught at Holy Name Institute in Detroit, MI, from 1932
    -1933 and returned to the University of Toronto for further theology studies. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 17th 1933 by the Most Reverend Alexander MacDonald, Bishop of Toronto. After ordination Fr. French taught at St. Thomas H.S. in Houston, TX in 1934-1935. From Texas he became the Assistant Pastor at St. John the Baptist church in Amherstburg, ON. In the 1936-1937 schoolyear he taught at Assumption College School in Windsor, ON and from 1937-1940 taught at the Aquinas Institute in Rochester NY. In 1940 he moved to Catholic Central H.S. in Detriot, MI, where he spent the rest of his teaching career and active ministry. In 1961 he recieved his MA in English from the University of Detroit. In 1993, after his 50th Anniversity of Priesthood and 53 years working and living at Catholic Central he moved to the Basilian Fathers Residence in Toronto.

    EXCERPT FROM THE WAKE SERVICE, BY FR. JIM ENRIGHT, CSB.
    ...Father was a teacher as well as a coach. He was loved by his confreres and students alike. In those days he was known for the boxing club he organized called the Belmont A.C. Boxing wasn't recongnized as a high school sport in Michigan High Schools so theoretically the Belmont A.C. was a private club. What amazed me was that there was a permament installation in the gym for television. On many Friday nights television viewers could see Fr. French's boys in action..... After Fr. James Martin left Catholic Central, Fr. French was named Athletic Director in his place. .... He loved a good cigar and good liquid refrehment. He had another hobby, a private one,- the Sport of Kings. Sometimes he was quite successful. On one occasion he was able to purchase some expensive athletic equipment for the school....

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