Earl Andrew Guidry

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon, on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, for Earl Andrew "T-Neg" Guidry, 83, who passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, after a brief illness. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2 in Breaux Bridge. Rev. Fr. Louis Allen Breaux, Associate Pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church, will officiate at the funeral Mass. Scripture readings will be read by Sadie H. Calais and Myrna Ayo. Gifts will be presented to the Altar by Michele Guidry Frederick, Ashley Ayo-Guy, and Markel Ayo. Music will be provided by a longtime family friend, Patrick J. Menard, accompanied by Beth Hebert on the organ. Musical selections will include, "Ave Maria," "Amazing Grace," "Old Rugged Cross," "You Raise Me Up," and "On Eagles Wings." At the young age of 17, Earl enlisted in the United States Navy on November 22, 1941, reenlisted on July 12, 1946, and was honorably discharged on July 15, 1948. He proudly served his country during World War II, serving his last tour on the U.S.S. Wharton. Earl worked in the Bridge & Building Maintenance Division of Southern Pacific Railroad for 35 years, retiring in the early 1980's. After retiring, he took up gardening and shared many of his vegetables with his family, neighbors and friends. He was a true fan of Country and Cajun music, listening to KBON from morning to night, and he enjoyed working outdoors and sitting outside, under the carport, on one of his father's handmade cypress swings, where his neighbors and friends gathered after work to share many stories and laughs with him. On October 6, 2007, he was privileged to be a part of the Louisiana Honor Air flight to Washington, D.C. - it was a memorable trip that he often talked about and said he would never forget. We thank you LA Honor Air and sponsors, for affording these honorable men, who so proudly and unselfishly served our country, the opportunity to visit these war memorials. A devout Catholic, Earl was a parishioner of St. Bernard Catholic Church where he served as an Usher for many years and was a member of the Holy Name and Altar Societies. He and Lillian assisted many other volunteers in the renovation of the St. Bernard Chapel of Perpetual Adoration. You would often see him inspecting various projects going on around the church parish, offering his suggestions and help when needed. Earl was very proud of his children and grandchildren - their educational accomplishments, goals they achieved in life and work ethics they possessed (for which he set the example, that hard work never killed anyone). He was a kind and generous man, a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather, who will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all who had the honor and privilege of knowing and loving him. He is survived by his three children, Michel "Mike" J. Guidry and his wife, Jenny "Tee", of Parks, Cynthia "Sis" Guidry, and Deborah "Debbie" G. Gauthier and her husband, Peter, all of Breaux Bridge. He is also survived by longtime family friends, whom he thought of as his family and were very near and dear to him, Bobby and Myrna Melancon Ayo, of Breaux Bridge; five adoring grandchildren, who were his eyes and will forever be in his heart, Justin Guidry, Michele G. Frederick and her husband, Doug, all of Parks, Jacob Paul Gauthier, Jon Ayo and his wife, Markel, and Ashley Ayo-Guy and her husband, Justin, all of Breaux Bridge; his first great grandson, on-the-way, Alec Frederick; and his sister, Faye G. Hebert, of Breaux Bridge. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Lillian Pontiff Guidry; and his parents, Andr and Gussie Broussard Guidry. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 3:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Wednesday and continue at 7 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Pallbearers will be Justin Guidry, Jon Ayo, Peter Gauthier, Doug Frederick, Ronnie Calais, and Garrett Calais. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Guidry, Jacob Gauthier, Bobby Ayo, Perry Calais, Carlton "Kit" Castille, Paul T-Paul Gulotta, Sr., and his Southern Pacific Railroad family, Thomas Patin, Louis Huval, and Floyd Saltzman. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to his dedicated caretaker and family friend, Nancy Gaudet, for the wonderful care, love and support given to him and his entire family for many years. Also, special thanks to Drs. Deidre Stelly, James Mwatibo, Justin Fontenot, Michael S. Cain, Leo A. de Alvare, Wael Karim, Vitalis Dr. O.K. Okechukwu, and Philip Perret, the 5th floor nurses and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, and Hospice of Acadiana, for their constant care, concern and compassion shown to our father, you will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard Catholic School, 251 East Bridge St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, or to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA 70503. Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (337.332.2199) is in charge of arrangements.