David L. Ffrench Sr.
David L. Ffrench Sr. of Wallingford, formerly a longtime resident of Swarthmore, peacefully passed away on Friday, February 12, after a brief battle with COVID pneumonia. He was 95.
David was born in Brooklyn, New York. Shortly thereafter, his parents returned to Jamaica, where the family had deep roots. David grew up on the island, attending Wolmer’s Boys’ School. He finished his secondary education during World War II and enlisted in the U.S. Navy to see the world. He spent 18 months stationed in the Caribbean, primarily in Cuba. After the war, David went to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in economics in 1951.
His first job was as a CPA at Main and Company, where he met his wife, Andrina (Renee) Smyth; they married in June 1957. David had an interesting career path, including holding the position of chief financial officer at a movie production company in the 1960s, and then, until his retirement, at two chemical trading companies, Steuber and AMS. His job led him to travel and spend considerable time in Europe. In retirement, he pursued his love of antiques and was quite entrepreneurial, creating a business helping people sell their belongings. He also caned chairs, continuing to do so even after he moved to Plush Mills in June 2013. He discovered clay work late in life and made several creations up until his last year.
David and Renee moved to Swarthmore in the spring of 1959. They raised their three children, Betsy, David Jr., and Jim, on the corner of Park and Yale avenues. In 1979, David moved the family up the street to a house he had always loved, at 203 Park Ave., known as the Sundial House. They spent the next 34 years loving the house, raising their children and grandchildren, and entertaining family, friends, and neighbors, until Dave moved to Plush Mills.
David was devoted to his family and to Swarthmore. For 22 years, he commuted to New York City rather than uproot his family from their community. In Swarthmore, he was a soccer coach for the Swarthmore Recreation Association’s boys soccer program, and he served for many years on the boards of the Swarthmore Public Library and the Swarthmore Co-op. Although not always a member of the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, he was active in church life, supporting Renee and her church activities. Dave was involved with the church’s annual fall fair in many capacities and, after becoming a member of the church, served as an elder.
David was beloved by his family: daughter Betsy of Swarthmore; sons David Jr. (Lisa) of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, and Jim (Rebecca) of New York City; and sister Ouida of New York City. He was a devoted grandfather to his four grandchildren, David III, Ian, Anna, and Camilla. He will be greatly missed.
David was predeceased by his loving wife, Renee, and by his brother Derek and sister June of Jamaica.
Due to COVID, a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Swarthmore Presbyterian Church’s Hunger Fund, 727 Harvard Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081.
