Norman Houghton French

Norman Houghton French -- beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, neighbor, and friend -- died at his home in Winter Park, Florida, on June 13, 2021. He was 93. Norman was born February 24, 1928, the second of four children, to Grace M. (Collins) French and Harold B. French of Boylston, Massachusetts. He attended the Boylston Consolidated Grammar School and graduated from North High School in Worcester, Mass. Upon graduation from high school, Norman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served at several air training bases until his honorable discharge in 1947. A World War II veteran, he belonged to the Barton, Brown, Button American Legion Post #398 of Boylston. After leaving the service, Norman attended Becker Junior College on the GI Bill and earned his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. He worked at Westinghouse Electric Co. as an inside senior customer service representative for more than 20 years until his retirement in 1988. Norman married his wife of 65 years, Margot (MacLaughlin) French, in 1956. They made their first home at 5 Scar Hill Road in Boylston and raised their two sons, Jeffrey and Scot, there. They later moved to Edgebrook Drive and, in retirement, joined son Scot and his family in Charlottesville, Va., San Rafael, Ca., and Orlando/Winter Park, Fl. A native and longtime resident of Boylston, Norman had a deep and abiding passion for town history. He was a founding member of the Boylston Historical Society and Museum, Inc.; a 30-year member of the Boylston Historical Commission (including terms as treasurer and chairperson); and a member of the Boylston Historic District Commission. He held the ceremonial titles of Fence Viewer and Surveyor of Hoops and Staves (“old posts carried forward”) for the Town of Boylston. During the Bicentennial era, Norman belonged to the Capt. Robert Andrews Company of Minute and Militia, a living history group named for his fourth-great grandfather, a Revolutionary War veteran. Members dressed in period clothing and militia uniforms, marched in parades, fired muskets, and participated in various civic and social functions. Norman joined the Boylston Masonic Lodge in September 1952 and wore his Masonic ring for nearly 70 years. He also belonged to the Boylston Grange. He was an 80-year member of the First Congregational Church of Boylston and an 8-year member of the First Congregational Church of Winter Park. He is survived by his wife, Margot (MacLaughlin) French; two sons, Jeffrey French of Boylston, Mass., and Scot French of Maitland, Fl.; three grandchildren, Jesse French of Boylston, Mass., and Gideon and Levi French of Maitland, Fl.; one great-grandchild, Jaxon French of Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Virginia Helton of Ipswich, Mass., and Carol Gellert of Laconia, N.H.; and 10 nieces and nephews. DiGusipe Funeral Home of Maitland is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be held at a later date at Pine Grove Cemetery in Boylston, Mass. Memorials may be made to the First Congregational Church, 10 Church St., Boylston, MA, 01505, and the Boylston Historical Society, P.O. Box 459, Boylston, MA, 01505 The family of Norman Houghton French invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his loving memory.

Norman Houghton French

February 24, 1928 - June 13, 2021