John James writes
I write to advise of the death, yesterday, 21 January, of my brother-in -law , (Gerald) Peter French at the age of 95 years.
Always known as Peter, he was the school’s vice-captain in his last year at Chi Hi.
His associate school captain was sick for much of his term of office, so Peter was de facto Captain for most of his term of office.
He graduated with a BSc from what was then the Regent Street Polytechnic and was recruited by ICI. He worked first in Manchester, then Stoke Poges, before moving to a German-owned plastic and paint manufacturer with premises in Sussex, eventually becoming its managing director. Through acquisitions, it became a larger company that was eventually bought by BASF, where Peter became a director, before retirement.
He leaves behind a widow, Joyce, to whom he was married for 69+ years, a daughter and two sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One daughter predeceased him. Both Joyce and Peter were keen golfers, a hobby that kept them in robust health well into their early 90’s. His humour and interest in all that was going on in the world was an example to us all of how to live life to the full.
He was not a member of the old Boys’ but had attended an annual lunch with me some years ago.
John James adds:
I attach a photo I took of him last August. He remained active, lucid and in command of his mental faculties until he had the major stroke last Sunday.10 years older than me, he must have joined the school in 1940 or 41. His older brother, attended the Chi Hi too some 6 or so years earlier, when the school’s new plaster and paint had hardly dried!