Gene Francis Bienvenu

St. Martinville - Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m., on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, for Gene Francis Bienvenu, 77, who passed away on Friday, January 29, 2010 at his residence. Msgr. J. Douglas Courville will officiate at the funeral service. Mr. Bienvenu was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited. Gene was a former painting contractor for approximately 45 years, as well as the owner/operator of Gene's Parkview Restaurant. He also retired from the local National Guard. Renowned in the area as a master cook, Gene enjoyed cooking for his family members and many friends, and he especially liked cooking wild game and fresh seafood. He was honored to be chosen as winner of the "Best Etouffee" at the first Crawfish Festival celebrated in Breaux Bridge. Survivors include his wife, Della Hulin Bienvenu, of St. Martinville; three sons, Mike Bienvenu and his wife, Alice, Baron Bienvenu and his wife, Trudy, and Ben Bienvenu and his wife, Darlene; one daughter, Gina B. Boudreaux and her husband, Rusty, all of St. Martinville; four brothers, Brad Bienvenu, of Mandeville, Gary Bienvenu, of Parks, Will Bienvenu, and Paul Bienvenu, Jr., both of Lafayette; one sister, Mary Ann Ledbetter, of Scott; 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Paul Bienvenu, Sr. and Georgia Champagne Bienvenu; and a son, Kirk Bienvenu. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. A rosary will be recited at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.