Albert Matthew "Matt" Landry

New Iberia - Albert Matthew Landry, lovingly known as Matt, was born on September 30,1948 and grew up in New Iberia, LA. He graduated from the home of his beloved “Big Red” Catholic High School in 1966. He worked for many years at the Coca-Cola plant in New Iberia. He was the sixth of Jacob and Stephanie Landry’s eight children. He was born with special needs, but his parents raised him in such a way that he never thought he was different from anyone else. The thing about Matt was that he was just “special” in so many ways.

Faith, family, food and football were some of his priorities in life, but God was Number One. He spent many Friday nights at the Social Service Center’s Upper Room with Bertha, his faithful friend, praying and praising the Lord. He was a devout Catholic and bold in his faith. He shared it with anyone and everyone. He even started his ministry called “Operation Runaway” where he would talk about his desire to help runaway children and prayed for them every night. He loved spending time with family and was crazy about his many nieces, nephews and their children. He also had a love for steak, barbecue and sweets/donuts ~ he walked to Meche’s donuts on St. Peter Street often to enjoy their selection of goodies or could inhale a bag of Skittles in no time flat.

After Jacob and Stephanie passed, he lived in New Orleans for a few years where he walked to Mass at Holy Name Church and volunteered at the zoo. It was in New Orleans that he was diagnosed with autism and began to participate in the Special Olympics. He was in a bowling league called “Special Rollers” as he had honed his skills in a bowling league for many years in New Iberia. They bowled on Saturday afternoons and then went to Mass at OLPH in Kenner where he came to know and love his beloved priest, Fr. Richard Miles.

After Hurricane Katrina, Matt moved to Marbridge Ranch in Manchaca, TX, (just outside of Austin) which is a wonderful place for people with disabilities. He was near his brother, Jacob, and his wife Sherry along with their children, Zachary, Christienne and Sherry and their families. He lived there for the past 20 years, and he had amazing caregivers there who treated him like family. One of his favorite things was taking part in the Special Olympics competitions in equestrian, bowling, golf and bocce. He had roles in their Christmas programs and even sang a solo one year. He thrived at Marbridge. His passion was riding horses, playing golf and hanging out with his best friend, Ray.

He loved going to family events and spending holidays with his Texas family from Austin and Houston and coming to New Orleans to pass a good time at the Mardi Gras with his New Orleans family. He beat cancer 20 years ago and was “CF” as he called it (cancer free). Over the past few years his health declined. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family who came in from near and far to be with him. Matt was an exceptional gift to our family and to all those who were lucky enough to know him. His sharp wit and unexpected humor could bring a full room to their knees with laughter. He could always lift your mood when down. He was full of child-like joy and wonder and never forgot a thing you told him (or sports stats either). He became a huge fan of all things Texas… BBQ, Tx Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys and Scottie Scheffler but he never forgot his Louisiana roots. He was enjoying some Zydeco music in his room the day before he left this earth. Matt didn’t want to burden anyone with his health struggles and often didn’t share them and would always say he was just fine. There aren’t enough words to describe how special and loved Matt was to his family and friends and he will be missed beyond measure. We are certain he was greeted in heaven by so many loved ones, and he certainly is not burdened with struggles any longer as God’s most faithful servant.

Matt is survived by five of his sisters Stephanie (Sousou) Barineau (Bill) of Kingwood, TX; Toni Coopersmith (Jim) of Mission Hills, KS; Mary Frances Landry of Baton Rouge, LA; Courtney Saucier (Don) of Destrehan, LA; and Louisan Frey (Frank) of Kingwood, Tx. He is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews and their spouses, Jeanne Barineau Martinez, Dan Barineau, Stephanie Barineau Dowd, Michael Coopersmith, Gabrielle Coopersmith, Kelly C. Markson, Conrad Coopersmith, Jay Landry, Lauren Landry Cheetham, Zachary Landry, Sherry Landry Deitrick, Christienne Landry Parten, Ryan Saucier, Danielle Saucier Wood, Tony Frey, Layne Frey, Christian Frey, Emma Frey, 20 great nieces and nephews, and 2 great-great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob Segura and Stephanie Durand Landry, his brothers Jacob D. Landry and Bill “Blackjack” Landry, as well as his niece, Camille Coopersmith.

Matt’s services will be held on Saturday, March 22nd, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia, La. (108 E. St. Peter St.). Visitation is from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, with a rosary at noon, followed by eulogies. His funeral mass will be at 1:00 pm, with burial following his service at Memorial Park Cemetery (402 W. Admiral Doyle).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Marbridge Foundation, Matt’s home for the past 20 years or to the Social Service Center in New Iberia.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560 (337.365.3331)