Obituary: Emil (Frenchie) Du Hamel (Dec. 16, 1922 - Oct. 12, 2009)

Frenchie spent most of his working career as a sheetrock finisher in Sacramento.  He retired at age 50 and traveled with his wife for 15 years before settling in Klamath 27 years ago.

His love of family, friends, fishing and gardening is well known to many Klamath residents.  Many of which were the happy recipents of his smoked fish and vegetables. 

Frenchie worked diligently in the Klamath community volunteering for years for the Klamath Fire Axillary and the Klamath Senior Center.

Frenchie was preceded in death by his son Emil Du Hamel Jr.  He is survived by wife Catherine of 67 years, sisters Evelyn Beers and Beverly Rodgers, daughters Janet Riolo, Carol Pitt, foster son Bill Pryce as well as sons-in-law Vincent Riolo and Joe Pitt Jr. and daughter-in-law Madge Pryce.

Emil had seven grandchildren, Michelle Castro, Kristy Riolo, Robert Sun­derland,Vincent Riolo, Nova Woods and Evette and Erica Du Hamel.

He was fortunate enough to have eight great grandchildren, Tyler, Haylie, Jessica Sunderland, Vincent Riolo, Ryan and Madisyn Woods and Anthony and Sara Castro.

He was loved by all and his passing will leave a hole in all our hearts.

The family requests no flowers but donations to Shriners Children Hospital.  Anyone who knew Frenchie knows of the love he had for children. What better way to honor his memory?

There will be grave site services Friday October 16, 2009, at 1:30 pm at the Veterans Cemetery in Cres­cent City. Arrange­ments are under the direction of Wier's Mortuary Chapel.