Gerald Jr. Streva

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 :00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia, ; for Gerald Jude 'J.J.' Streva, Jr., 45, who died on Thursday, August 26, 2010. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery in New Iberia. Mr. Streva, affectionately called J.J. to all who knew him, was born on April 9, 1965 in Morgan City , La. As an infant, he moved with his family to New Iberia , La., where he attended school and worked most of his life. From an early age, it became clear that J.J. was a natural athlete. ; From gymnastics to All Stars in Pony League and Colt League, he excelled. ; He was a member of the New Iberia Pee Wee Championship Football team, the New Iberia Packers. He attended Catholic High School and graduated in 1983. In his high school years, he continued to excel as an athlete. He lettered in football and baseball all three years of high school. And his senior year, he made 3rd team All-District in baseball. His true passion was Motor Cross racing. As a teenager and young adult he raced statewide successfully and twice won the State Championship in his division. After high school, he attended and graduated from Louisiana Southern Technical College. There after he began his career of 23 years at Streva Distributing of New Iberia, La. As a salesman of Miller and Coors products, he serviced businesses throughout the Bayou Teche area. He was recognized on many occasions with sales awards. Recently, he had chosen to return to the University of Louisiana to finish a bachelors degree in General Studies. He was currently a junior and was enjoying college with a new found appreciation for knowledge. His mild manner and endearing personality graced him with many friends of all ages. Throughout his life, J.J. was the essence of 'cool'. ; He was a committed son and brother and was considered the 'fun' uncle by all of his nieces and nephews. A devout Catholic all of his life, he was a parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lafayette, while growing up in New Iberia, he was a parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. J.J. is survived by his parents, Gerald 'Jerry' Streva and Rosalie Guarisco Streva, of Lafayette; one brother, Philip Streva and his wife, Cinamon, and their three children, Virginia, Kyle and Reed, of New Iberia; two sisters, Lisa Streva Perry and her husband, David, and their two children, Joseph and Elizabeth, of Lake Charles; and Maria Streva Milazzo and her husband, Shane, and their two children, Amber and Steven, of Lafayette; and his aunts and uncles, Carl Streva, Joseph R. Streva, Jr., Katherine Streva Bergeron and her husband, Terry, Peter and Maria Guarisco, Philip Guarisco, Angela Guarisco Glynn and her husband, David, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Joseph R. and Katherine Filardo Streva; maternal grandparents, Philip and Elizabeth Iacopelli Guarisco; his aunt, Mrs. Carl (Glenda) Wooters Streva; and his first cousin, Steven Bergeron. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 4:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and continue on Tuesday at 8 a .m. until 10:30 a.m. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Monday evening. Pallbearers will be Sean Glynn, David Perry, Shane Milazzo, Philip Guarisco, Joseph R. Streva, Jr., Mike Bergeron, and Peter Guarisco. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic High School, 1301 DeLaSalle Drive, New Iberia , LA 70560. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd. , New Iberia , LA 70562, (337.365.3331), is in charge of arrangements.