Howard Joseph Courville

Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge for Howard Joseph Courville, 76, who passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 12:30 pm until 10:00 pm on Monday, and continue on Tuesday at 7:00 am until 12:30 pm. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Monday. Rev. Garrett Savoie will officiate at the Mass of Christian Burial. Readers will be Eric and Missy Courville. Gift Bearers will be Bridgette and Elizabeth Domingues. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2 in Breaux Bridge. Howard Joseph Courville was a devoted husband, dedicated father and devout Catholic who represented a proud Cajun heritage. He attended Breaux Bridge Sr. High School and on his time away from school worked with his mother "Madam Pep" and father "Pep" crawfishing and farming cotton at Bayou Portage in Nina. Howard's initial occupation as a TugBoat Captain was for 20 years operating for several respected companies dredging inland waterways, building the Interstate Bridge systems and was associated with the International Union of Operating engineers; -In the 60s while dredging for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in Mobile Alabama-he assisted with the placement of the Navy ship Museum, BB-60 USS Alabama in Mobile Bay. -In the early 70s, he piloted barges caring bridge components and supplies between Interstate 10 east and west bound Atchafalaya Basin Bridge 18.2 miles span for Louisiana Bridge Company and In the late 70s he operated for Brown & Root in the bridge expansions of Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish. In 1980, Howard aka "Skipper" decided to change from his marine occupation to land and became an Owner Operator Truck Driver and a Former member of the OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association). He transported sand and gravel from the Amite River to supply the local concrete and asphalt plants within the mid southern parishes, also hauling asphalt to resurface and/or build new roads around the Lafayette / Acadiana areas. He also hauled materials for the La State Army Corps of Engineers to improve the levee alongside Bayou Amy. In 1996, Howard retired to enjoy his remaining life with his wife, family and friends which he cherished dearly, talking about his childhood days with his brother "Beb" sister "Tit" and cousins. He took opportunities to visit our Cajun culture and sites. He also had a passion for woodworking and refurbishing items with T L C. He is survived by his loving spouse of 55 years, Pansy T. Courville; his sons, Kevin James Courville of Breaux Bridge, Eric James Courville and wife Missy of Breaux Bridge, and Gary James Courville and wife Theresa of Kinder; his daughter, Bridgette Ann Domingues and husband Chuck of Lafayette; his brother, Earl "Beb" J. Courville and wife Mildred of Breaux Bridge; his grandchildren, James "Jase" Domingues, Elizabeth "Beth" Domingues, Jandi Domingue, Eric Jay Courville, Ethan James Courville, and Destanie Courville; his great grandchildren, Gabriel Domingue, Katherine Domingues, Savannah Zerangue, Zoey B., and Carson B.; and his step-grandchildren, Tylor Boutte and Phillip Domingue. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alcee Joseph and Alice Johnson Courville; his sister, Alvina "Tit" Landry and her husband, Nolan "Frere" Landry; and his grandson, Timothy John Courville. Pallbearers will be Kevin James Courville, Gary James Courville, Eric Jay Courville, Ethan James Courville, Louis Trammel, and James "Jase" Domingues III. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric James Courville, Earl "Beb" Courville and Kenneth "T-Bay" Landry. Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.