Visitation was held from 4 until 10 p.m. on Friday with a Rosary at 7 p.m. The funeral home reopened at 8 a.m. on Saturday until service time.
A native and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Babineaux died at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, after a brief illness.
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Mr. Babineaux was the last surviving member of St. Peter’s College Class of 1936 and of the Chenier Business School in Beaumont.
He was a WWII Veteran of the United States Army who served his country for five and a half years, three of which were in North Africa. His ability to speak French was a skill that served him well during his tour of duty, which also included France, Belgium and Germany.
He was a natural born salesman and upon returning to New Iberia he capitalized on his love of people and entered the furniture and retail business. He began his sales career at Teche Furniture, then Wormser’s General Store on Weeks Island, Meyers Furniture and finally Oubre Furniture from where he retired in 1980. His retirement lasted all of two weeks and for the next 12 years he split his time employed at the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department as a civil deputy and Paul’s Flower Shop.
Mr. Babineaux was a great believer in community service and gave his time and talents improving his community and helping those less fortunate. After his second retirement he continued giving to his community as a volunteer at Dauterive Hospital and various senior citizen organizations.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post No. 1982 where he served many offices including Post Commander, he was a Cub Scout Master and a charter member of the National World War II Memorial. He served as a king of Mardi Gras for the Council on Aging on four occasions.
His hobbies included hunting, playing bouree’, gardening and raising beef and dairy cattle. One of his greatest passions was dancing which he did regularly until just recently.
He was a great believer in sharing the fruits of his labor and a visitor to his home never left empty handed. He leaves a legacy as a deeply loving and religious husband and father who never met a stranger. It is no wonder to those who knew and loved him that his positive outlook on life and joi d’vivre contributed to his longevity. His life-long philosophy was “there’s no such word as can’t.”
He is survived by his three children Dennis “Danny” Babineaux and his wife, Carolyn Joy Moore, Rebecca “Becky” LaBauve and Clarence “Brother” Babineaux and his wife, Sue King, all of New Iberia; eight grandchildren Corey Babineaux and wife, Christy Cooley, Tiffany Babineaux, Nicholas Babineaux and his wife, Brandi Viator, Stuart LaBauve and his wife, Chalisse Barrilleaux, Leslie Diaz, Patrick LaBauve and his wife, Stefanie Wise, and Sarah LaBauve; four great-grandchildren Shelby Babineaux, Andre’ and Carter LaBauve and Jordan Diaz; two sisters Martha Comeaux and Meda Hayne; his special loving friend and dance partner Olive “Ollie” Brantley and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Lorraine Hebert Babineaux, to whom he was a devoted provider and later caretaker; his parents, John Eraste and Noemie Segura Babineaux; two brothers Marshall and Junius “J.J.” Babineaux; two infant brothers Edvard and Clarence Babineaux and three sisters, Bella B. Fremin, Rita Blanchet Dugas and Edna Lalonde Ayo.
Pallbearers were Corey Babineaux, Nicholas Babineaux, Stuart LaBauve, Patrick LaBauve, Paul Babineaux and Clarence Babineaux.
The family of Mr. Babineaux would like to thank his devoted caregivers Ella Conner, Faye August, Shirley Butler, Audrey Joe and Belle Smith. A special thanks to Mignon Arton for her help with the care and discharge services and also Hospice of Acadiana and his nurses Iggy Landry and Carolyn Fontenette.
To view online obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.mem.com.
Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
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