Ulysse Poirrier

Coteau- A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Friday, September 7, 2012 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Coteau for Ulysse 'Tonkin' Poirrier, Sr., 73, who died Wednesday, September 05, 2012 in New Iberia. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery, with Military Honors by the New Iberia VFW Post 1982. Rev. Barry Crochet will be the Celebrant. A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday from 2:30 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM Thursday. Visitation will continue Friday from 8:00 AM until 10:15 AM. Born on April 27, 1939, Mr. Poirrier is a native and resident of Coteau and New Iberia. A veteran of the National Guard, he worked as a crane operator in oilfield construction, and was an avid New Orleans Saints fan. 'Tonkin' loved Cajun French Music, and had a passion for playing the steel guitar. Throughout his 54 year career in Cajun music, he played with many different bands including Bayou Buck Rouxs, Shute Badeaux and The Louisiana Aces, Maison and Carroll Menard, Aldus Mouton and The Wandering Aces, Leeman Prejean and The Happy Playboys, Danny Brasseaux and The Wandering Aces, Donny Broussard and The Louisiana Star, and The Bayou Teche Playboys. His steel guitar can be heard on numerous recordings dating back to 1966. In 1984, Mr. Poirrier wrote his first song 'Musician Avec Un Coeur Casse' (Musician With a Broken Heart), and 'Cher Tit Coeur' (Dear Little Heart) which were recorded at La Louisiane under his own label, Belle Records. With Danny Brasseaux and Cajun Express (1992), he cut his first album, 'Memories of Mama', which won a CFMA award. He is survived by his sons, Ulysse Poirrier, Jr. and wife Rhonda, Rickey Poirrier, and Daniel Poirrier all of New Iberia; brothers, Eugene Poirrier of New Iberia, ;Uwell Poirrier of Carencro, Uray Poirrier of Lafayette; sister, Ula Mae 'Beb' Walker of New Iberia; daughter-in-law, Annette Fremin Poirrier of New Iberia; ;grandchildren, Rickey Poirrier, Jr., Cody Poirrier, Michelle Poirrier, Eric Poirrier, Alex Poirrier, Jared Lassiter, Trenton Boquet, Brycelin Boquet; 10 great grandchildren and one due to arrive in February. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rena Poirrier; parents, Ernest and Gussie Badeaux Poirrier; and a son, Eric Poirrier. Pallbearers include Ulysse Poirrier, Jr., Rickey Poirrier, Sr., Rickey Poirrier, Jr., Cody Poirrier, Alex Poirrier, and Uray Poirrier. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Poirrier, Eric Poirrier, Jared Lassiter, and Trenton Boquet. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.