Melvin Joseph Bertrand, Sr.

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, November 18, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Coteau Holmes, for Melvin Joseph Bertrand, Sr., 86, of Coteau Holmes, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation for family and friends will take place at Pellerin Funeral Home in St. Martinville on Sunday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and will continue on Monday from 8:00 AM until time of service.

A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM on Sunday by Deacon Russell Hayes.

Deacon Russell Hayes will officiate at the Funeral Mass. 

Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery.

The youngest of three children, Melvin was born in St. Martinville, Louisiana to Stephan Bertrand and Mathilde Chatagnier Bertrand on September 15, 1938.

He is survived by his three children; Mel, Jr. and his wife Lisa, Kenny and his wife Lynn, and Pam and her husband Kendall; eight grandchildren; Cody (Danielle), Kristen (John), Kayley (Chase), Bailey, and Blake Bertrand, Kiley Serrette (Marvin), Treavor (Randi) and Logan (Cameron) Romero; three great grandchildren; Emeri and Brec Serrette and Braxton Dore; sisters in law, Patsy Bertrand, Mary Francis Borel and Doris Granger; and brother in law, Clifton Borel, along with a host of family and friends.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Stephan and Mathilde Chatagnier Bertrand; his beloved wife, Grace Granger Bertrand; brother, Larry Bertrand, Sr.; and sister, Helen Bertrand Halphen (Conrad).

Melvin married his childhood sweetheart, Grace Granger, who he often affectionately called 'Sue Sue', on October 8, 1955. Beginning a life together at just 17 and 15 was not always easy, but they survived and went on to enjoy 68 years together, until her passing in January of this year.

Following his years of work as a dredge boatman, Melvin began his career as a rigger with Breaux's Bay Craft in 1964 and retired as foreman in 2005 after 40 years with the company.

As part of his civic duty, Melvin was one of the founding members of the Coteau Holmes Volunteer Fire Department whose dedicated volunteer firefighters continue to serve and protect the community today.

In his early years, Melvin enjoyed baseball and horses. In his later years, nothing compared to his love of cutting grass. Donned with a straw hat and a smile, he ran that mower over every blade of grass (and other things that happened to be in the way) like Mario Andretti at the Daytona 500, regardless of the weather.

Melvin was a person whose character made him easy to love by all who knew him, and he returned that love unconditionally. He was a wonderful and attentive husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family. He was most known, by family and friends alike, for his contagious laughter. Although somewhat shy and reserved, he kept everyone who knew him entertained by his hilarious antics, especially during he and 'Sue Sue's' nightly visits with his sister and brother in law. Wherever Melvin went, laughter was sure to follow.

Melvin's absence will leave a hole in the heart of all who knew him, and the sense of grief and sadness will no doubt remain for a very long time. But we will be reminded of him each time we hear laughter, each time we smell the scent of fresh cut grass, and each time we experience the legacy of love that he left behind. 

Pallbearers will be Cody Bertrand, Blake Bertrand, Treavor Romero, Logan Romero, Larry "Possum" Betrand, Jr. and Marvin Serrette. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Aaron Comeaux and Sydney Menard.

Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.