EDWIN MCLEAN FRENCH

Edwin French, 88, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001.
He was born in Bethune, Sask. on Nov. 30, 1912 and moved to Emo, Ont. with his family in 1922. Edwin spent his whole life in Emo, where he farmed, as well as worked as manager of the Emo Co-Op. He later was employed by Flinders Dairy, among others.
Edwin was a life-long supporter of the Emo Fair and acted as secretary-treasurer of the fair board for many years. He enjoyed raising poultry and was an avid exhibitor with a number of prizes won.
He also judged poultry and other classes at the Emo Fair, and was invited to help judge at other fairs in the northwest such as Dryden, Hymers, Murillo, and Thunder Bay.
After retirement, Edwin spent much of his time working on the farm and enjoying his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Edwin was predeceased by his parents, Melvin and Winnie French; one sister, Iva Brown; and by his baby brother, Elmer John French.
He will be greatly missed by his wife and partner of 55 years, Edith, and his five children, Colin French (Janis) of Fort Frances, Ont., Peggy McMillan (Eric) of Virginia Beach, Va., Candice Bunio (Gord) of Thunder Bay, Ont., Patti Kellner (Garry) of Milton, Ont., and Dan French (Mary-Kay) of Thunder Bay, Ont.; his 14 grandchildren, Lisa Moore, Todd French, Amanda French, Greg McMillan, Jodie McMillan, Lori Bunio, Chris Bunio, Darcy Bunio, Diana Kellner, Rick Kellner, Katie Kellner, Kevin French, Andrea French, and Kory French; and several great-grandchildren.
He also is survived by his brother, Willard French (Olive) of Guelph, Ont.; sister, Ella Carruthers of Emo, Ont.; brother-in-law, Joe Brown of Thunder Bay, Ont.; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2001 at 2 p.m. at the Emo Knox United Church in Emo. Rev. Frances Flook officiated, followed by interment in Emo Cemetery in Emo.
Visitation was held Monday, Sept. 3, 2001 from 7 until 8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont.
Pallbearers were Greg McMillan, Todd French, Chris Bunio, Darcy Bunio, Kevin French, Rick Kellner, and Kory French.
Honourary pallbearers were Johnathon Curtis, Henry Niskala, John James, Ted Tompkins, Ted Corrigan, and Maurice McMillan.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 920 Frenette Ave, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N4, or Riverside Foundation for Health Care-Emo Health Centre, 260 Front St., Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
The family would like to express our sincere thanks to the Emo Ambulance staff, Dr. Davies and the staff of the Emo Clinic and Hospital, Rev. Frances Flook, and the United Church Women.