Obituary of Charles Dean French

Charles Dean French, of West Oak Hill Road, passed away Wednesday February 21, 2024, in his home with his family by his side. He was born May 6, 1932, in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late Laurence and Irene Waters French. Dean was raised in Quaker Bridge, PA, attending a one room schoolhouse but later moving to attend Randolph Central School. He would eventually move to Salamanca, NY, where he met his wife Anne, whom he married on November 5, 1960. Dean always drove a flashy new car in his younger years, it was often a convertible, but would trade all that for a family car in 1961. They would eventually move back to Jamestown, NY, to raise their four daughters: Carrie (Ed) Dobos of Conway, SC, Tina (Tom) Judge, of Russell, PA, Brenda French of Jamestown, and Dena (Joe) DeJoe of Brocton, NY. Dean enjoyed spending time with his daughters, 7 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. In his professional career, he spent 30 plus years with MRC Bearings. By the same token, Dean was often invested in multiple handyman projects simultaneously. He opened Dean's Snowmobile Parts and More in 1992 and would sell it in 2022. Dean loved to go snowmobiling, golfing and watch all the grandchildren's sporting events. He never held a grudge and treated everyone the same. He was a past member of the Cold Springs Fire Department and Salamanca Fire Department. Moving to West Oak Hill in 1980, he joined the Fluvanna Volunteer Fire Department in 1981. Over the years he has held several offices in the fire department including board of directors, Lieutenant of fire police and the President of the Department. Dean would often work the Bingo, managing the Bell Jar Account. He was also a member of the AARP Squad where he was named man of the year in 2022. Dean was a past member of the Black Knight Drum and Bugle Corps, CB Radio Club, Elibowons Snowmobile Club, and numerous other snowmobile clubs. He was also a member of the Ellery Center VFW post 557, War Veterans Recreation Inc. Special thank you to Dustin and Wes and the caregivers at Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care for taking care of Dean. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 3 pm March 3, 2024 at the Fluvanna Fire Department. Memorials may be made to Fluvanna Volunteer Fire Station 1, 3536 Fluvanna Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701, and Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuenralhome.com