| Retired
U.S. Navy Commander Marcel “Frenchy” Beaudu died on October
22, 2001 in Hong Kong.
At the time of his death, Marcel was on an Asian trip for
Federal Express as a MD-11 Captain. He was 51.
Marcel was the beloved husband of Carol, devoted father to
Danielle and Evan, loving son of Odette Hufschmitt and the late
Marcel Beaudu, and loving brother to Guy and Jean Claude Beaudu
and Denise Greenwald. |
Marcel took this photo from his cockpit
seat.
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Marcel was born June 4th,
1950 in New York City. He
graduated from Aviation High School in New York and from Louisiana
Tech with a BS in Aviation. He
served honorably in the US Navy and Naval Reserve and excelled
while completing all three levels of the Navy’s elite Fighter
Weapons School (Top Gun). He
logged over 4000 hours in Navy jets including T2B, TA4J, A4E/F,
A7B/E, F/A18 and A6E. He
completed three Western
Pacific cruises onboard the
USS
Constellation and the
USS Hancock and was Officer-In-Charge of
Navy Reserve Squadron VA-304.
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After joining the Flying Tiger Line Marcel flew DC-8s
and was a Line Check Airman on the B-747.
Later he flew the MD-11 where he logged over 2100 hours in
the left seat.
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Marcel
enjoyed outdoor sports including hiking, snow skiing and scuba
diving and was an expert wood craftsman.
He traveled frequently, even when not at work, and felt
most at home in his ancestral village of Garrebourg, France.
Marcel was known for his calm demeanor, quick wit, loyalty
and unflagging patriotism.
He demonstrated the character and strong moral values that
will always be admired and emulated by all who knew and loved him.
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Marcel’s wish was for his ashes to be spread over the
Pacific Ocean he loved so much.
On November 3, 2001, at 1:36 Pacific time, his wish was
granted in a small private ceremony off the shores of San Diego.
“Point Frenchy”, the exact location where his ashes
were released is: N 32°35.110’, W117°15.537.
He salutes all his fellow fliers and lovers of aviation and
he will greet all who loved him when we make our final flight
west.
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