Richard Milton French

Richard Milton French

PULTENEY – Richard Milton French of Pulteney, NY passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 14, 2026. He leaves behind a life defined by service, dedication, humor, and love for family and friends.

Richard was born on April 28, 1943, in Salina, Kansas where his father was stationed in the Army. They moved back to Pulteney, NY shortly thereafter and he graduated from Franklin Academy in Prattsburgh, NY in 1962. He went on to attend SUNY Geneseo before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Ithaca College in 1968. Richard liked to brag that he had successfully crammed 4 years of college into 6.

In 1969, he began his career with Steuben County Department of Social Services as a caseworker, where he remained for 25 years until retiring in 1999. While working there, he met and then married his forever love, Ellen French (Parulski) in 1972. Together they built a life centered around their five beautiful daughters.

In addition to his work at the County, Richard always dreamed of owning his own dairy farm, and made that dream a reality in 1989 when he built Walnut Lane Farm. He successfully operated that farm, while also raising his family and working for the county, until he went into full retirement in 2018. Walnut Lane Farm was recognized as a Dairy of Distinction for many years and his passion for raising Jersey cows became a hobby that shaped the life of his family. There is no harder worker than a farmer and while Richard may have worked at his own speed, nobody could deny that he was a man who lacked ambition. His years of farming alongside his father only worked to strengthen their bond and love.

Richard also had a passion for his hometown. He served on the Pulteney Town Board from 1998 to 2002. He was a man who took pride in all that Pulteney had to offer to its community members and wanted to make sure that the people were always represented and felt spoken for. Like his father, he was honest and straightforward. He said what he meant and he meant what he said, whether you liked it or not. He was also known for his outgoing personality and fun-loving spirit. He loved to make people laugh with a witty joke or clever little prank and always had some story to share. Whether with lifelong friends, or someone he had just met, Richard enjoyed good conversation and was always ready to buy a beer and spend time catching up.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis “Milton” French and Evelyn French (Hall).

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Ellen French (Parulski), and their five daughters: Lisa (Derwin) Lamberson of Painted Post; Theresa (Richard) Keesey of Pulteney; Lori French of Rochester; Tricia French (Sophy Chainey) of Pulteney; and Paige (Steve) Knitter of Pulteney.

He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Ella Lamberson, Adler Lamberson, Lilly Keesey, Richard Keesey, Cooper Keesey, Violet Keesey, Abby Chainey-French, Zane Chainey-French, Harper Knitter, Madison Knitter, Karson Knitter, and Emma Knitter.

Richard will always be remembered for his humor and the friendships he built wherever he went, as well as his large Mopar collection. He was always a Plymouth man, and spent many years collecting and tinkering on cars that made him happy. His pride and joy were his Road Runners as well as the infamous Superbird.  Until next time……Bye, love ya, see ya later!

Calling hours are 4-6 p.m. WEDNESDAY (March 18, 2026) at the Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 35 Main St., HAMMONDSPORT, where a funeral service will take place following calling hours at 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY with the Rev. Donald Peek officiating. Interment will be in Glenview Cemetery, Pulteney at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Pulteney Vol. Ambulance Corp. or the Pulteney Vol. Fire Department. Both of which played an integral role in his life in recent years.

The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Richard’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Richard are welcome below or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.