Irwin H. French

Bangor Daily News
Bangor, Maine
December 27, 2001
p. B7

IRWIN H. FRENCH

SEATAC, WASH. -- Irwin H. French, 78, a long time Seattle, Wash. area resident died Dec. 23, 2001 at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. He was born Feb. 9, 1923, in Bangor, the son of Vernon and Abby Schillinger French.

He was raised and attended school in Danforth and graduated from Danforth High School in 1940. In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he trained to be a Navy jet airplane mechanic. Following his discharge in 1941, he worked briefly for Boeing as a mechanic in Kansas, before coming to Seattle where he was a lead aircraft mechanic for United Airlines for over 31 years. He retired in 1985. Irwin married Helen L. Paul in Everett, Wash., in 1965, she predeceased him in 1973. On March 19, 1976, he married Helen Guddall Leibbrand in Seattle, Wash., and they have made their home there for the past 25 years. Irwin was an avid rock hound, enjoyed bird watching, bicycling, and hunting for mushrooms.

He is survived by his wife, Helen of SeaTac, Wash.; daughter, Tracy French of Seattle, Wash.; three step-children and spouses, Craig Leibbrand, John and Julie Leibbrand, and Julie and Terry Hope; three step-grandchildren, Jessica, Amy and Robyn Leibbrand; and one great-stepgrandson, Ryan Sregzinski; two sisters, Mary Ellen Whiteman and her husband Stan, of Danforth, Coral McCormack of Orrington; several nieces and a nephew; and his faithful dog, Yohaan.

Memorial to the Danforth Methodist Church, or the Danforth Library, Danforth, ME 04424, are suggested. Cremation was under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, Wash.

  Events

• He appeared on the census in 1930 in Danforth, Washington County, Maine. He lived in the household of his parents.

Irwin married Helen L. Paul in 1965 in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington.⁷²²⁴ (Helen L. Paul died in 1973 ⁷²²⁴.)

Irwin next married Living