Westborough – David A. French Sr., 80, of Westborough, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough. Mr. French is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara E. (Woodis) French.
Born May 9, 1937, in North Dighton, he was the son of the late Edward C. French and Grace E. (Barney) French.
Mr. French received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the Boston University College of Fine Arts in 1959. He studied trumpet with John Coffey of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, performed in the concert band under the direction of Dr. Lee Chrisman, and in the opera orchestra under the direction of Sarah Caldwell.
In 1959, Mr. French became the first Instrumental Music Supervisor at Apponequet Regional High School, in Lakeville. Committed to a life-long career in music, he worked for the Charles Bean Music Company, Selmer Musical Instruments, and was Co-owner of French and Robert Musical Instruments in Rhode Island.
In 1987, with his wife, Barbara, they founded David French Music Company in Westborough. For over 20 years, they provided musical instruments and services to schools and professional musicians throughout New England. He was a member of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the National Association of School Music Dealers, and was a Scout Master for Boy Scouts Troop 100 in Westborough.
In addition to his wife, David is survived by his children, David A. French Jr. and his wife Jeanne French, of Conway, N.H., Robin A. McNally and her husband Robert McNally Sr. of Lakeville, Jeffrey M. French and his partner Nicholas Mazzamurro of Worcester, Jane E. French and her wife Sheila French of New Orleans, La., and Eric M. French and his wife Michelle French of Westborough. He was the grandfather (known as “Bumpa”) of Kallie French, David French III, Megan McNally, Robert McNally Jr., Brenda French, Jay French, Julia French, and Samuel David French. He was the brother of the late Richard E. French and his wife Muriel French, and Barbara A. Deane of Eastham.
David enjoyed camping, canoeing, sailing, basketball, Stan Kenton’s jazz, and practicing musical instruments with his grandchildren.
He will be remembered for his unfailing generosity, perpetual smile, sharp wit, and sense of humor, which brought much laughter.
Calling hours at the David A. Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Saturday, Oct. 14, from 2-5 p.m.
Donations in David’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or at http://www.pdf.org/fund_memdon.
