Benjamin Westcott Jr.

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 21, 2007, for Benjamin Lawrence ""Larry"" Westcott, Jr., at 11:00 a.m., at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, in St. Martinville. ?Larry died at home in his sleep on Wednesday, July 18th, after an extended illness. ?He was 71 years of age and is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Judy Theriot Westcott. ?The Mass will be officiated by Rev. Austin P. Leger with the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Council 1276 providing the honor guard. ?Burial will follow in St. Martin de Tours Catholic Cemetery, in St. Martinville, Louisiana. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2007, at Pellerin Funeral Home in St. Martinville, with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. and visitation will continue at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Born on July 30, 1935 in St. Martinville, Louisiana, he was the son of Benjamin ""Benny"" Westcott, Sr. and Lourence Freeman Westcott, both deceased. ?He was also preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Westcott, of New Jersey. ?He is survived by his wife, Judy Theriot Westcott, of St. Martinville; three sons, Timothy Westcott of Broussard, married to Lana Fournet Westcott, Gary Westcott of New Iberia, married to Angela Romero Westcott, and Gus Westcott, of St. Martinville, married to Shannon LeBlanc Westcott; one sister, Pamela Westcott Champagne, of St. Martinville; and one brother, James Westcott, of New Jersey. ?In addition, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Antonia Gautreaux Theriot; eight grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. After serving his country honorably in the Armed Forces during the Korean Conflict, Larry, like many previous generations of Westcott's, went to work on tugboats in New York Harbor. ?He worked his way up to Captain with an Unlimited USCG License docking ships and towing barges throughout the Eastern Seaboard, Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River. After retiring, Larry became active in many local fraternal organizations. ?He is a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in St. Martinville, former Commander of the VFW Post, and a member of the American Legion. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.