Landaff, NH – Michael Earl French "Frenchie", 68, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
He was born in Woodsville, NH, on May 21st, 1954, to Marion (Aremburg) and Norman French. Michael attended elementary schools in Ryegate, VT and at the Bath Village School, he finished his education at Woodsville High School.
Michael was the first born in the family and was rewarded with the duty of being a big brother to his three little sisters; he was always helping them get out of any trouble they may have caused, while at the same time secreting away any scrumptious food or candy he may have had to enjoy on his own. One memorable time he came to his sister's rescue was the time he had to fix a snowmachine after his sisters accidentally put kerosine in the gas tank.
On October 16, 1976, Michael married his lovely bride, Sandra Jean (Towle) at the Wells River Church in Wells River, VT. Together they raised their two children, Brandy and Earl in their family home in Landaff, NH.
He worked for Richard Saffo Concrete for 40 plus years, and during the winters he ran his own snow plowing service. He was a volunteer firefighter for the town of Bath, NH. He was jack of all trades; he was a self-taught mechanic, carpenter, electrician, and plumber. If something gave him a hard time, he would ponder the situation and eventually make it work, even making his own tool if necessary. Michael loved to hunt and fish, he was a NASCAR fan, he enjoyed four-wheeling and snowmobiling, camping in Errol, target practice, working on projects with his John Deere tractors, sitting on the patio watching the grandchildren play, tinkering in his garage, farming and making his own maple syrup. He was always willing to help others and to offer advice to family members and friends. At the same time, he could be a bit of a prankster, hiding candy, and scaring Meme in the garden with bottle rockets.
Michael was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Marion (Aremburg) French.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sandra Jean (Towle) French; his daughter, Brandy Layne (French) Becker and significant other Babis Tricoulis; his son, Earl Michael French and wife Samantha Nicole (Reynolds) French; five grandchildren, Michael Clinton Becker III, Lucas Earl French, Evan Edward Becker, Ryan Michael French and Levi Wallace French; his sisters, Alice Besaw, Annette Lockwood, and Cindy French; many nieces and nephews; his good friend Mike McFarland and their March 17th tradition; and his beloved four legged friends Rufus and Mimim the barn cat.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, April 15th at noon at the Bath Congregational Church in Bath, NH, with Reverend Lyn Winter and Pastor Tracy Davis officiating.
Memorial donations can be made in Michael's name to any of the following:

Lisbon Life Squad, 46 School Street, Lisbon NH 03585

Cottage Hospital, PO Box 2001, Woodsville NH 03785

Ammonoosuc Fish and Game Club, 381 Wild Ammonoosuc Road, Woodsville, NH 03785

The family would like to extend a Thank You to the Lisbon Life Squad, for their quick response, the DART team, all the staff at Cottage Hospital and Portsmouth Regional Hospital and to Claude Lapete for plowing the driveway for the ambulance.

Goodnight Mike. I love you. You are the wind beneath our wings.