Matthew James Labbe'

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, August 24, 2017, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville for Matthew James Labb, 52, who passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 8:00 am until 12:30 pm on Thursday. Fr. William Schambough will be the celebrant at the Funeral Mass. Con-celebrants will be Fr. Michael Champagne and Fr. Bryce Sibley. Readers will be Annie Cavanaugh and Althea Labb. Gift bearers will be Kristin Labb, Jill Guillotte, and Emelie Labb. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville. Matt was the redheaded-freckled-Labbe born as the last of the 4 siblings of Harry and June. An anomaly of the family, he was a distinct individual, an irrepressible and curious child. As he grew his signature red curly hair, Dads barber, Mr. Sid Dupois, Sr. tried desperately to tame Matts red curls into submission. All attempts failed. With that fight abandoned, Matt and his curls wandered our backyard on the bayou under the shelter of big oak trees with thick, cool St. Augustine grass underfoot. Annual visits from our Purple Martins every summer, became a game of wills with Matt as he taunted the birds with his bright curls. The birds dove at his red head bobbing in the yard for many consecutive summers. With his infectious personality, he worked for many years as a self-employed contractor, dozens of happy customers fast became his friends. Matt possessed a strong work ethic, and was thorough and detailed in his work. He most recently was employed by Flowers Bakery where he was a well-respected by his peers and his immediate supervisor. Matt met and married Kristin Lasseigne and they spent their early years living in California before moving back to Louisiana to start their family in New Iberia. They shared 20 plus years together. Matt had both love and gratitude for the Lasseigne family. We are grateful to Kristin and her family for their love and support of Matt. Kristin and Matt have one daughter, Emilie. The center of his life, from infancy to adulthood, he spent the majority of his time beside her. As her father, his love and devotion to Emilie, through good times and hard times, were consistent and constant. Matts life was punctuated by the beautiful Louisiana landscape, from the basin to the bayou, he enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting and hiking. From childhood adventures through adulthood, the outdoors was his altar, offering him respite and restoration of spirit. A conciliatory and gentle man, Matt was attentive to his family, his friends, and he knew no strangers. Likewise, he was loved and cherished in return without exception. His recent years were spent in the company of Kelly Caruso, his favorite girl and companion. We are grateful to her for the friendship she and her family offered Matt. He endured many personal struggles throughout his lifetime. He fought through a learning disability to graduate from the Teche Vocational Institute under the tutorship of Mr. Frank Falcon who took him under his wing and made it a personal mission that Matt succeed, He has always remembered and held Mr. Falcon close in his heart. He struggled with an alcohol addiction and was in recovery for the last few years. He managed his depression as best he could with counseling and medicine. He loyally and valiantly and with all his might walked the path that God had chosen for him. He fought the fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith he didnt take any detours or shortcuts. And in that way, his life is an example to all who were graced to witness it. May Matthew, a husband, a father, a son, a beloved brother and uncle, a worker among workers, a friend among friends rest in Eternal Peace. Matt is survived by his daughter, Emilie Labb of Lafayette; his brother, Guy Labb and wife Althea of Lafayette; his sisters, Chre Doiron and husband John Day of Memphis, TN and Hassie Breaux and husband Chad of New Iberia; his companion, Kelly Caruso of Alexandria; and his former spouse, Kristin Lasseigne Labb of New Iberia. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Labb, Jr.; mother, June Landreneau Labb; a brother, Gerard Labb; and a nephew, Jacob Breaux. Pallbearers will be Pierre Doiron, Andre' Doiron, Dustin Fuselier, Ben Labb, Kurt Richard, Kevin Kohnke, and Kyle Nereaux. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronald Lasseigne, Frank Falcon, and Luke Gonzales. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville, 112 New Market St., St. Martinville, LA 70582, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com