We are saddened to announce that Jean Yves Georges Audigier, Professor Emeritus, passed away on October 1st in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was 83.
Son of Carmen Audigier (née Onffroy de Verez) and Raymond Audigier, he was born on October 27, 1941 in Auvergne, France. He served as a first lieutenant in the French Army and he graduated from l’École des Beaux Arts in Paris, France before pursuing a Masters in Arts from Dominican University in California, followed by a second Masters in Arts from San Francisco State University in California, followed by a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley in California. He initially taught French at Horseheads High School in Horseheads, New York before teaching French at Elmira College in Elmira, New York. He then moved to San Francisco to become a professor of French and of Fine Arts at the University of San Francisco (USF) in San Francisco, California. He was also Vice President of the Franklin Bowles Galleries in San Francisco, California and New York, New York. He spent the next 50 years in San Francisco and attained the rank of full professor at USF before retiring as a Professor Emeritus. After retiring from USF, he continued consulting at the Franklin Bowles Galleries until his final retirement and his move from Hillsborough, California to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He loved his new house in Kennett Square and spent many hours watching the local fauna, reading, admiring his extensive art collection and spending time with his adored wife and family.
He was preceded to heaven by his beloved mother, father and younger brother Georges. He is survived by his adored wife and mother of his children, Mercedes Audigier of La Paz, Bolivia; their children: Sylvia Audigier Putnam of Bethesda, Maryland and her husband Michael; and Mark Audigier of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and his partner Alexis; five grandchildren: Sean Putnam, Jack Putnam, Robert Audigier, Julien Audigier, and Olivia Audigier; brother Marc Audigier of Plaisir, France; sisters Anne Touzé of Paris, France, Hélène Bannier of Boulogne Billancourt, France, and Jeanne-Elisabeth Gautier of Lyon, France; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Jean was a deeply beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His passing was due to complications related to his Parkinson’s Disease and was peaceful just as he had wished it would be.
We invite you to share memories and photos of Jean. It was his wish that we laugh and reminisce, and smile during this time.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 10th at 10:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church. View the Funeral Mass LIVE »
Please hold Jean's wife, Mercedes; his children, Sylvie (Michael) and Mark (Alexis); and his grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.
Notes of condolences can be sent to Mercedes Audigier, 106 Nathaniel Lane, Kennett Square, PA 19348.