Joseph Nathaniel French, II

Joseph Nathaniel French II (1932-2009) was a professor. (b. December 5, 1932; Detroit, Michigan - d. June 26, 2009; Allen Park, Wayne County, Michigan) Social Security Number: 374-30-5581.

Funeral notice: Age 76 of Allen Park. Loving husband of the late Reba. Dearest father of Joseph (Rachael). Dear grandfather of Joseph. Dear brother of Carolyn Kochjda, Natalie Cheatam. Visitation Sunday 2-8 p.m. Funeral Service Monday 10 a.m. at the Girrbach-Krasun Funeral Home (Southgate Chapel), 15748 Fort St.

Memories of Joseph Nathaniel French II: Judy Dery wrote: "I only worked with Joe twice, but I met him a long time ago. And, of course, he and I had many mutual friends through Greenfield Village and Detroit area theatres. My fondest memory was having breakfast with Joe at the Grand Hotel during a murder-mystery weeked we were working." Jack Murchie wrote: "For me, an ever present memory of Joe took place on a Christmas eve at the house on Robson in Detroit. I was about 10 years old. The house was crowded with family and the living room was bustling with energy. Suddenly, I heard someone at the piano playing and singing the first words of Sleighride---'Just hear those sleighbells jingling, ring ting tingling too...'. It was Joe. It was a happy sound and a very happy moment." Susan Berg wrote: "I have very fond memories of the shows I was in at The Henry Ford while Joe was there. Great times in Spooks, Crucible, Two Blind Mice, Chinatown, Of Thee I Sing, Dream Girl, Post Road, Snow White, Wizard of Oz. I appeared with Joe in Twelfth Night at Michigan Shakespeare Festival about 10 years ago. I played Maria and he was my Sir Toby! He had replaced another actor and saved the day. Joe had a remarkable speaking voice for the stage. I wish he had done more stagework when I knew him. He did a couple of shows (I think) at the Marquis Theatre in Northville. I had written a version of Pinocchio and he was wonderful as Sir Calaban the Fox. Perfect! The intellectual world of the scholar was Joe's realm. He was not comfortable sharing feelings ( at least in my experience), but once he got to know and trust you he would treat you as a dear friend. I last saw Joe a couple of years ago at a funeral home where we paid our last respects to our beloved fellow actor, Sam Jungermann. Joe looked great, so I was surprised and dismayed to learn he had passed on. I remember Joe's message on his answering machine that went something like, "We will endeavor to respond with alacrity." I confess, I had to look that word up! I am very grateful for all the opportunities Joe gave me at The Henry Ford and for all the wonderful and talented people I had the pleasure of working with. Blessings to all, especially Joe's family and friends, Susan Berg." Gail Hathaway wrote: "When I was 18, I went over to Reba and Joe house, so Reba could help me sew a very sheer piece of fabric so it would fit better. I was always, hemming or taking in sides because I was small and petite sizes weren't an option then. After getting my outfit to fit properly and learning some tricks from my Aunt. I proudly put on my sheer 1 piece pant outfit. It was very sexy, and my Uncle walked in and his jaw dropped. He said "You are not to wear that in public!", which Reba retorted "She young and beautiful, let her show it off! She's young only once." Gail Hathaway: "When my family went to visit Reba, Joe and Joe Jr at Christmas time. It was a feast, Reba been up all night cooking the utmost wonderful breakfast. Uncle Joe and my brother sat playing a game of chest that had three levels. That's when I realized what a very smart man he was, and my brother being challenged to win. Uncle Joe had a Doctor degree in Performing Arts. But to me he was the smartest man I had ever met." Gail Hathaway wrote: "Uncle Joe had the most amazing magic tricks. I remembered when I was five, my family went to see him do some of his magic tricks. He had put a box on Aunt Reba head and locked it. He then used his stage voice and announced he was going to put swords though the box. I was worried being five. I never forget it, eight longs knives went thought the tiny box. Then he proceeded to withdraw all the knives. When Aunt Reba emerged, her face had not 1 cut. How did he do it?" Joanne Love wrote: "I first met Joe back in the late 70's when he was working at Henry Ford. I then had the opportunity , when he started work for Mobile Ed Productions, to see him as Thomas Edison, Mark Twain, Alexander Graham Bell and then Inspector Iwwannano and finally his Crime Scene Science performances. His ability to transform himself into the characters and then bring these characters to life was wonderful. Literally hundreds of thousands of students across the United States were able to witness his talents and partake of his educational wisdom. He will be missed by all of us here at Mobile Ed." Charmaine Williams wrote: "Joe and I became friends about 4 years ago when he showed an interest in studying the bible. At first it seemed that he just wanted to argue or have a challenge but after a while he came to appreciate what the Bible had to say about what he felt were important things llike the condition of the dead and why people get sick, old and die. When he saw in the Bible that God promises to resurrect his mother without her dementia and she would recognise him he just wept. Joe had the voice equal to James Earl Jones when he read the scriptures. He loved Jehovah and was not afraid of death because he knew what to expect. Joe and I spent many hours together over the past 3 years and he spoke so lovingly of the people he worked with at Mobil Ed, his friend Eugene, who helped him so much. He wanted to find a way to get Eugene to study the Bible too because he was worried about him and the way others were treating him. Joe was so fond of his sisters and their children. He had a nephew who's name escapes me that he especially enjoyed spending time with. Tony I think. Tonys wife would clean up his house when they would come over. He said that's just the way she is, "always doing something as soon as she comes in". He appreciated that. He talked about his dear son, daughter -in-law and grandson constantly. When he got a picture in the mail from his grandson he was soooooo excited!!! He was proud of his son and the work he does. He said his son was so smart and made good choices. Plus he has a wonderful wife! Those phone calls from her meant so much. I know I could go on with all the things he would say about all of you but you get the idea. He looked at and appreciated all the fine qualities all of you have and loved you very much. I know you will all miss him like I will. Are we not grateful that we had the chance to know him at all!" Nina Kircher wrote: "I met Joe when I auditioned for my first play at Greenfield Village. I was very fortunate to work there in several productions and also work with Joe doing murder mysteries where we would have such fun. Joe had a deep love for the theatre and always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He was a terrific man and I will miss him."

Source: Researched and written by Richard Arthur Norton (1958- ) for Findagrave starting on February 3, 2011.