John M. "Jack" French Jr.

John "Jack" M. French, Jr., 87, of Richfield Blvd in Mattydale, died Thursday, October 26, 2017 at Iroquois Nursing Home. A native of Syracuse, Jack was the son of the late Amy (Vickery) and John M. French, Sr. He was a 1947 graduate of East Syracuse High School where he still holds the record for the 400 yard dash.

Jack was a US Navy Korean War veteran. He worked as an Assistant District Manager at John Hancock Insurance Company. Jack went on to be the Circulation Manager at Syracuse Newspaper for many years before retiring in 1985. He was a former member of the Valley American Legion Post #1468, a former member of the BPO Elks Lodge #31 in Syracuse, and a former member of the F. & A. M. Masons in Chittenango. Jack enjoyed watching NFL especially the Buffalo Bills and the NY Giants. He was a former attendee of Calvary United Methodist Church.

Jack was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, the former Patricia Shampine, in 2006.

Surviving are his four children: Jude Duncan of Mattydale, John M. (Barb) French of Mattydale, Jay (Michele) French of Clay, and Joseph (Susan) French of NC; three sisters: Joyce Larson of FL, Sandra Post of CT and Ginny Rae Timmons of Clay; seven grandchildren: Kyle, Carrie, Nikki, John IV, Justin, Micael, and Rhianon; and by his great grandchildren: Zack, Sammy, Karma, Mya, Brendan, Julian, and John V.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital-Memorial, P.O. Box 1000, Dept 1142, Memphis, TN 38148.

Friends may call on Monday from 4-7 pm at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale, NY. Funeral Services are Tuesday, 10:00 am, at the funeral home with burial in Bridgeport Cemetery.