NORWAY – R. Donald French, 82, of Andover, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, after a battle with COPD.

He was born in Andover, on Sept. 19, 1922, a son of Fred C. and Nellie (Morton) French. He graduated from Andover High School, Class of 1942 and went to machinist school.

He was drafted as an airplane mechanic into the 239th Army Air Force base unit as a corporal, where he served from April 1943 to February 1946 during World War II. He worked on the airplane that dropped the atomic bomb, the Enola Gay.

After the service, he owned and operated his own business as a master plumber and electrician. He then went to work in Oxford Paper Co., and retired in the mid ’80s from Boise Cascade Paper Co., in Rumford as a machine tender, after more than 25 years.

He was active in the Andover Fire Department and served as fire chief for two and a half years; he spent 56 years as a fireman. He was a member of the Andover Congregational Church and served as treasurer for 16 years. He was always ready to help anyone in need. He was instrumental in the erection of the Civil War memorial on the Andover common.

He was married in Andover on Feb. 23, 1944, to his wife of 61 years, Doris Feener French, who survives, of Andover. Other survivors include two daughters, Donna Cunningham and husband, Randy, of Rumford, and Debra Richard and husband, Gary, of Andover; four grandchildren, Lisa Jodrey of Mexico, Ryan Richard of Rumford, Michelle Cunningham of Portland and Melissa Cunningham of Newry; and a great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Richard of Rumford.

He was predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Swan; and two brothers, Fred and William French.