The Life of James Conrad Sibille
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 2, 2012 at a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Catholic Church for James C. Sibille, 88, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at his residence in Lafayette. Interment will be in Holy Mary Mother of God Cemetery.
Reverend Harold Trahan, Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass. Reverends Hampton Davis and Thomas Voorhies will concelebrate. Lectors will be Marie Piccione and Bonnie Rees. Giftbearers will be Francesca Piccione and Natalie Piccione.
James Conrad Sibille was born in Opelousas, Louisiana to John and Marie Barry Sibille on July 6, 1923. He grew up in Grand Coteau, attending Sacred Heart School (now St. Ignatius Elementary) and Sunset High School. After two years at SLI, he enrolled at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kingspoint, New York, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. During World War II, he served as a Senior Deck Officer on ships transporting military ammunition and equipment to our troops in Europe. Later, in the Pacific War Zone, he served as Acting Ship Captain.
Following the war, he remained at sea as a Senior Deck Officer, traveling to ports all over the world. He shed his sea-legs to return to SLI where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, taught at Sunset High School, and pursued graduate studies at LSU.
Well-known for his people skills, Jim settled in Lafayette and entered the business world as a salesman of business machines. His success led to his national recognition by Friden Corporation as Conquistador of the Year for 5 consecutive years. During this time he had the great fortune of meeting his bride to be, Jeannine Abshire, who was teaching at SLI. They were married in 1959, and soon after started their family, rearing three wonderful daughters.
Jim opened his own business, Sibille Business Machines, representing Sharp Electronics Business Division. He was awarded for his salesmanship with trips to various countries while he was a Sharp dealer.
He had a passion for traveling, which he pursued by attending national conventions and meetings, as well as pleasure trips. He especially enjoyed trips on cruise ships. The company of his wife enhanced these trips greatly. Along with being a cosmopolitan man, Jim was an avid reader and fitness enthusiast. Indeed, he rode his exercise bike for as long as he lived.
He was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Knights of Columbus, Council # 1286, a member of the American Legion Post #69, a parishioner of St. John’s Cathedral Church Parish for 20 years, then St. Mary Church Parish for over 30 years where he served as an usher. He was a member of the Lafayette Town House, the Krewe of the Troubadours, the Elks Club, and City Club at River Ranch.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years Jeannine Abshire Sibille; three daughters, Judy Sibille Snow and her husband, William Snow; Kay Sibille Rees and her husband, Daniel Rees; and Brenda Sibille Piccione and her husband, J. Kirk Piccione; nine grandchildren, Robert Snow, Scott Snow, Nicholas Rees, Daniel J. Rees, Bonnie Rees, Joseph Piccione II, Marie Piccione, Francesca Piccione and Natalie Piccione; two brothers, Donald Sibille and his wife, Doris; Gerald Sibille and his wife, Patricia; three sisters, Frances Smith, Evelyn Erny, and Norma Ducote; and sixteen nieces and nephews. Despite his many career adventures, Jim will always best be known as a loving husband, father, Papa, brother, and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Barry Sibille; his brother, Woodrow Sibille and his wife, Katherine; his brothers-in-law, Dr. Harold Smith, "Prof" Lawrence Erny, and Marvin Ducote; and his half brothers, Harold Sibille and his wife, Emerite; and John B. Sibille and his wife, Esther.
Pallbearers will be William Snow, Dan Rees, Kirk Piccione, Robert Snow, Scott Snow, Nicholas Rees, Daniel Rees and Joseph Piccione. Honorary Pallbearers will be Donald Sibille, Gerald Sibille, Dan Bouligny and Richard Callaway.
Donations can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200 Lafayette, LA. 70503.
Special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana, A First Name Basis, Jennifer Viltz, Rena Bernard, and the physicians who took care of Jim.
The family requests that visitation be observed on Sunday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and will continue on Monday from 8:00 AM until time of services.
A Rosary will be recited on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 7:00 PM in Martin & Castille''s DOWNTOWN Location.
Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, LA. 70506. 337-234-2311
