Richard Stephen Allain, Sr.

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Richard Stephen Allain Sr., 95, who passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, in New Iberia. Entombment will follow in the Holy Family Cemetery. Rev. Alexander Albert will be the Celebrant. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM Monday. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 8:00 AM until 9:15 AM. Richard Stephan Allain, Sr. was born in Patterson, Louisiana and was a lifelong resident of both Jeanerette and New Iberia. Richard, nicknamed Dick, was a graduate of New Iberia High School and attended Tulane University prior to enlisting in the United States Navy. While in the Navy he was assigned to the Merchant Marines in WWII. He served in active duty in the both the Atlantic and Pacific theater of war in the rank of Gunners Mate, First Class. He survived the sinking of a vessel and served in active duty until the end of the war until he was honorably discharged. Dick married his late wife, Anna Louise Schwing, a beautiful, well educated, Southern lady and raised a Catholic family of ten children. They were married for 69 years before her death in June of 2013. Post war, he attended watch making school in Houston, TX and gemology school in San Antonio, TX. After graduation, he founded Allains Jewelry and Trophy Store in 1960 together with his wife working out of Pauls Flower Shop in downtown New Iberia. In 1969, they relocated their business to the Old Ford Garage building located in historic downtown New Iberia. Dick was a member of the New Iberia Rotary Club, the K.C. Knights of Columbus, Third Degree, and the Board of Directors for the Arc of Iberia. He was also president of the Mt. Carmels Booster Club and was a troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America. Dick was a son of Louisiana, raised in a Catholic family during the great depression. He had the opportunity to meet Huey P. Long in his youth. He played football at both New Iberia High School and Tulane University. After volunteering, fighting bravely and surviving World War II, Dick became a successful local businessman and a model American citizen. He was a soft spoken giant who inspired generations of patriots, planners, inventors, educators and entrepreneurs. To all who knew Dick, his passion for telling stories, gardening, outdoor adventures, and both wood working and metal making was apparent. He truly lived his life as an example to others as a talented craftsman and adventurer and created a legacy for generations to follow. He lived a golden life. Survivors include his children, Patricia A. Rinehart of New Iberia, James F. Allain and wife Peggy of New Iberia, Emma A. Hanks and husband Tim of New Iberia, Paul J. Allain and wife Becky of New Iberia, Peter A. Allain and wife Aline Castille Allain of Baton Rouge, Anna Louise Allain of New Iberia, Rita A. Breaux and husband Harvey of New Iberia; son-in-law, Tom Farrell of Baton Rouge; daughters-in-law, Vicki Allain of Niceville, Florida, Regina Allain Viator of New Iberia; 42 grandchildren; 67 great grandchildren; , 2 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Emma DeGravelle Allain; father, Daniel Albeo Allain, Sr.; wife, Anna Louise Schwing Allain; daughter, Beverly A. Farrell; sons, Lt. Col. Richard S. Allain, Jr., USAF, John C. Allain; brothers, Daniel Albeo Allain, Jr., Wilbur Allain, Sr., Dr. Martin Allain; sisters, Nettie Garon, Therese Inman. Pallbearers will be Tom Farrell, Lt. Col. Richard J. Allain, USMC, John Allain Viator, Beau Allain, Philip Hanks, Jere Cooper, Jason P. Allain, Peter Albeo Allain, and Ramsey J. Breaux. Honorary pallbearers include Bart Farrell, Patrick Farrell, Major Christopher P. Allain, USMC, Dr. Tim Allain Viator, Paul Viator, William Viator, Tom Rinehart, John R. Allain, Richard Avery Hanks, David Allain, Patrick Anthony Allain, and Daniel Anthony Allain. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arc of Acadiana, P.O. Box 9610, New Iberia, LA 70562. All are invited to a celebration of his life at St. Peters Church Hall immediately following the burial. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331 is in charge of arrangements.