August 21, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Obituaries

Alexandra B. Basinski

Alexandra Biddle “Bimmy” Basinski, 59, of Jenkintown, who taught herb courses at Morris Arboretum, died Aug. 14 at Abington Hospital of complications from a stroke-related accident in January.

An expert horticulturalist, whose specialty was herbs, Mrs. Basinski also taught at Longwood Gardens and shared her enthusiasm for gardening and cooking with students at the Mt. Airy Learning Tree, Cheltenham Adult School and the Main Line Night School.

Long active in the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, she worked for ten years on the society’s “Philadelphia Green” program that helped community gardeners to transform abandoned lots into lush gardens, and was a volunteer for many years at the PHS annual Flower Show.

She was chairman of the education committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Herb Society of America and, at the time of her accident, was a member of the Garden Writers Association of America. She also had served on the board of the Philomel Baroque Ensemble.

Born in San Francisco, Mrs. Basinski was raised on her family’s farm in Newtown Square, where she developed her passionate interest in gardening. She attended the Shipley School and Marple-Newtown High School and the University of Pennsylvania. She was also a graduate of the Barnes Arboretum and Longwood Gardens certificate programs.

Mrs. Basinski is survived by her husband John, and her stepmother, Flora Biddle of New York.

A memorial gathering will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118. Memorial contributions may be made to the Morris Arboretum or to the Herb Society of America, Philadelphia Unit, P.O. Box 273 Chester Springs, PA 19425.

George W. French Jr.

George Wesley French Jr., 79, of Mt. Airy, a retired Philadelphia school principal and civic leader, died Aug. 8 at Abington Hospital.

Dr. French had served the School District of Philadelphia for more than 30 years, first as a teacher and later as vice principal of John Wanamaker Junior High School and principal of Fitler Elementary School. At the time of his retirement in 1986, he was director of social studies for the district.

He was the recipient of many honors and awards for his dedication to education and community affairs. Among them was the Service Award of Lodge 2716 of B’nai Brith for preparing the first U.S. teacher’s guide on the Holocaust. The award recognized Dr. French “for high endeavors and dedication to humanity in memory of those who lived and died because of religion.”

Dr. French also had served on the boards of many community organizations, among them the Germantown Historical Society, the Christian Street YMCA, the Germantown YMCA, the Metropolitan Career Center, the Florence Crittenden Center, the Black Political Forum, the Black Educational Forum and the Educators’ Round Table.

Dr. French is survived by his wife, Elene; a son, Geoffrey of Philadelphia; a daughter, Andrea Natasha of Atlanta, Ga.; six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the First Presbyterian Church of Germantown, 35 W. Chelten Ave.

John W. McClellan

John W. “Jack” McClellan, 68, of Lansdale, formerly of Chestnut Hill, died Aug. 13 at Central Montgomery Medical Center in Lansdale.

Mr. McClellan is survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth Doyle; sons Kevin and Matthew; a daughter, Erin Albrecht, and four grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 19 at Our Mother of Consolation Church in Chestnut Hill. Interment was private.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

Paul J. Soulges

Paul James Soulges, 51, of Willow Grove, formerly of Wyndmoor, died of a heart attack on July 20.

A food wholesaler, Mr. Soulges was employed by Sysco Foods of Philadelphia. Earlier, he worked for the Country Club Restaurant for more than 20 years.

Mr. Soulges was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the William Penn Charter School. He attended Tulane University and graduated from Penn State University.

He is survived by his wife, the former Ronnie McGill; two sons, James Paul and John Christopher; his parents, Dr. James P. and Connie Sosangelis Soulges of Wyndmoor; a sister, Tracey Soulges of Lafayette Hill, and a brother, Jeffrey Dean Soulges of Wyndmoor.

A funeral service was held July 25 at St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall. Interment was at Lawnview Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Paul Soulges Family Fund, TDBankNorth, 1845 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.