Brian Ellender

Breaux Bridge - Brian Ellender, a resident of St. Martin Parish, died Friday July 8th, at his residence, after an incredibly brave fight with cancer. He was 'Poppa' to his grandchildren, Brian III, Benjamin, and Hannah Ellender. He was 'Dad' to his sons, Brian Ellender, Jr. and Joshua Ellender. Lucy Ellender, his wife, would call him Brian, but with a smile that would light up her face. To so many children and adults he was the 'Little Debbie Man' whom he shared the tastes of the newest products. He enjoyed playing a good game of "Texas Hold'em" with his lifelong friends. He was one of those people who you could say 'I never knew anyone who did not like him.' He was son, husband, dad, poppa, and friend to so many people and he will be greatly missed. Brian always celebrated his New Year's Birthday with a party. He celebrated thirty-one years of marriage to Lucy Bienvenu Ellender of Breaux Bridge. He was so proud of the men their boys grew into. Their son, Brian Jr. (B.J.), is a coach at Cecilia Senior High, and is married to Heidi Huesers of Crowley. Second son, Joshua, lives and works in Lafayette. His love for his sons, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren was the focal point for Brian, as he fought his disease. Brian is also survived by his sister, Debbie Ellender Smith and her husband, Michael Smith, of Lafayette. His parents, Gerald and Thelma Wells Ellender, reside in New Iberia; and his step-grandmother, Dorothy 'Dot' Ellender, from Broussard. Family members who preceded him in death were his sister, Brenda Ellender; Rhoda LeBlanc, his niece; his paternal grandparents Shirley and Rhoda Ellender; and maternal grandparents Willie Wells Sr. and Emma Sanspre. Pall bearers for services at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge will be his nephews Greg Bienvenu, Davi Bienvenu, Damian Denais, Aaron Landry, Kevin Landry, and Shannon Breath. Brian graduated from New Iberia Sr. High in 1977. He attended USL Lafayette for two years. He trained and then worked for over 30 years in many aspects of the grocery business and excelled as manager of several chain stores in many local communities. Brian's final job with his Little Debbie route gave him the opportunity to meet and become friends with so many people. Outside of his family, it was the people he worked with each day that brought him great joy. These people who were just 'awesome' were the people he missed most during his illness. Brian loved his family at the highest level and he found great satisfaction in the work that he did. With those commitments he also made time for causes in his community that he cared about. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 20 years and was currently serving his second term as Grand Knight for the Breaux Bridge Council No. 2398. He worked with energy that just didn't quit on the Vocations Committee, Altar Server Recognition Program, fund raising -- raffles and chicken dinners. He became a member of the Fourth Degree Assembly in August 2008. It was the men in both of these organizations that carried him through his illness to the end with support, care and with the encouragement he needed to continue his work in the Church. He served his church as an usher and as a member of the Holy Name Society. Brian Ellender only lived a half century which was far too short for those who loved and respected him. In his life and in his dying, he left something special in the hearts of his family and friends. Brian Ellender left this world a better place. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Brian's name to the UL Alumni Association. The address is: UL Alumni Association, P.O. Box 40151, Lafayette, LA 70504 or to the diabetes or cancer research organizations. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Sunday and continue on Monday at 8 a .m. until 10:30 a.m. A Rosary will be recited by the Knights of Columbus Council 2398 at 7 p.m. on Sunday . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge , with Father Paul LaFleur officiating at the funeral Mass and Deacon Marcel 'Butch' Hebert concelebrating . Entombment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2. Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (337.332.2199), is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com