Monday, September 11, 2017 4:56 am

FARMINGTON - Dennis B. French, 72 of Farmington, N.H. died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 at Frisbie Memorial Hospital.
Born on May 19, 1945 in Boston, Mass., he was predeceased by both parents, Clayton and Margery French.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Ann, his daughter, Lorri French- Seiger of Farmington and his brother Doug French and Cindy. He also has three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A 1963 graduate of Spaulding High School, he lived in Rochester and Barrington most of his life, moving to Farmington five years ago. He retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1990 with 27 years of service.
He was probably most well known as a musician, playing locally and regionally. Beginning in his teenage years, he played Rock and Roll in a most noted band called Jimmy and The Preps. This eventually evolved in his country music days and he played lead guitar, steel guitar and even sometimes bass in many, many country bands thoughout the area including his own band-The Dixie Rose Band. In 1991, he was inducted into the N.H. Country Music Hall of Fame, an award that he always treasured. About 10 years ago, he once again ventured into a new music path after a friend suggested he take up playing the dobro and bluegrass music thus DixieGrass was born. He so enjoyed this music, as he stated "I have the best time at a bluegrass festival and all the people are wonderful."