Claude Jacquemin

Claude Jacquemin, 93, died Friday evening, August 11, 2017 in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, surrounded by family members.

Claude was born in Paris, France on April 18, 1924. He is survived by four children, John, Vicki, Chris and Carole; nine grandchildren, Danielle, Andrew, Shawn, Derick, Jaime, Lori, Juliana, Olivia, and Marissa; and four great grandchildren, Makayla, Daisha, Delaney and Dade. His son Philippe died in 1980.

His son, John, lives in Castleton, VA, a place Claude cherished and frequented over the past 30 years. He requested that his ashes be scattered there on his favorite hill by the lake.

Claude grew up in Paris. He lost his parents when he was a young teen, which cut short his formal education. He lived in Paris as a teenager during the hardship years of the German occupation. At age 19 he enlisted in the Free French Army under General Patton, serving until the end of WWII with both French and American soldiers. Claude became fascinated with the United States, learning more about this land of opportunity from American GI’s. He soon began plotting a course to move to America, which he achieved in 1952, moving here with his wife and two (and a half) children. This was the beginning of another American immigrant success story.

Life in the States started and ended in the Philadelphia suburbs, with a 20 year interlude in south Florida. He spent his entire career at Teleflex, Inc. headquartered in Limerick, PA, working his way up from junior draftsman to general manager of the Marine Division to Director of International marketing. In his last position he travelled extensively, negotiating major deals for Teleflex products and technology in Russia, Europe and China.

Claude took great pleasure in playing tennis, sailing, fishing, running, and kayaking. Most precious to him were his family relationships, spending time with his children and their offspring. Many of these good times took place at his oceanfront condo on Singer Island, FL. Daughters Vicki and Chris lived nearby and saw him often. His son, John, and his family spent a week each year with him between Christmas and New Years. All told John and his family joined his father and sisters in celebrating 19 New Years Eves there.

Claude was quite an impressive woodworker. Over the years he designed and made chairs, wagons, rocking horses, toy boxes, lamps, serving trays, animal carvings and myriad other creations for his relatives and friends. He also enjoyed participating in Alliance Française events to celebrate his French heritage. He attended many Palm Beach Opera events and particularly appreciated performances by up and coming young apprentices.

One of his great loves was acting in and directing amateur theater productions, including the musical Gigi, which he listened to in his last moments with family at his bedside.

There will be a memorial service at Pine Crest Country Club, 101 Country Club drive, Lansdale, PA, on Saturday, August 19 at 12:00 pm.

John is planning a celebration in Castleton, VA at a time and date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a contribution in Claude’s name to his favorite educational cause: Young Apprentice Program - Palm Beach Opera, 1800 South Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL. 33409 Email: info@pbopera.org