In memory of a canaller
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Jim French died June 22, just a couple of weeks before Canal Days. His photo was displayed at the Canal Center last weekend as a remembrance of a loyal member of the Wabash & Erie Canal Association.

To those who knew him, his presence was still felt at the event.

One of the reminders was the wooden sign which identifies Jim's Carpenter Shop. For many years, Jim demonstrated woodworking in his shop. When children came around, he helped them build a birdhouse, which they could take home.

In the lobby of the Canal Center are a series of paintings depicting canal scenes. Jim and his wife, Frances, sponsored the painting of the Henry T. Sample & Sons Packing House.

The extended French family has been in charge of the Canal Park Snack Shack for many years. Three generations work side by side, and a fourth generation is on hand to watch. This year, even in the face of loss, Frances and her family continued the tradition, as Jim would have wanted.

The parade, which is always held in conjunction with Canal Days, also brought back memories. In years when the canal association had a float, it would be certain that Jim would be on it, smiling and waving. He was grand marshal of the parade in 1999.

Jim and Frances joined the canal association efforts in the late 1980s and became hard workers. Jim was president of the association for 10 years. They both served on the canal board, and Frances continues as secretary of the board.

One of the things Jim enjoyed about Canal Days was talking to the people who attended. He never met a stranger.

Jim gave much energy, time, and resources to the canal association. Now others can pay tribute to him by donating to the association in his memory.