Donald R. French

Age 82, longtime resident of South Lyon, formerly of Northville and Ann Arbor, passed away April 13, 2014. He was born on August 10, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan to Joseph and Elsie Florence (nee Gardner) French. Donald graduated from Pennsylvania School of Optometry with a Doctorate in Optometry. He had his own practice, Dr. Donald R. French, OD, PC, on Plymouth Road in Livonia for approximately 35 years. He was the preferred optometrist for General Motors and Fisher Body for many years. He was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor and the Lions Club. Donald adored his children and loved his grandson. He was very funny and clever; Don could always come up with a limerick on the fly that would match the moment you were in, he was also a wonderful story teller. Following his retirement, he combined his love of cutting grass with his love of hard work and opened a lawn cutting business in Ann Arbor. His sense of humor was evident on the business card, it read: Don R. French, "Let Don French kiss your grass." He enjoyed golf and dabbled in snow skiing. He also enjoyed travelling; some of his favorite destinations were Germany, England, Monte Carlo, and the California Coast. Donald liked rock and roll and jazz music; he was also a big movie buff, and especially liked French foreign films. He relished games of chance by playing and investing in the stock market. He is survived by his cherished son, Steve (Ellen) French; his loving wife of 20 years, Mary Miller; and his adoring grandson, Sean French. He was preceded in death by his son, Joe French and his daughter, Gail French. A time of gathering will be held Friday, April 18, 2014 from 10 a.m. until Noon with a memorial service at Noon at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 W. Dunlap, Northville. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Salvation Army Plymouth Corps, 9451 S. Main Street, Plymouth, MI 48170 or Lions Club International Foundation, Dept. 4547, Carol Stream, IL 60122.