The Life of Harry Lee Breaux
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, in St. Pius X Catholic Church for Harry Lee Breaux, 82, who passed away peacefully Friday, May 23, 2008, at Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette, Louisiana. Burial will be conducted at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.The Rev. Michael L. Delcambre, Associate Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lafayette will be the Celebrant and Homilist of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services.Lectors will be Jessica L. Breaux and Jonathan D. Breaux. Vocalist, Mrs. Karen Melancon, accompanied by the St. Pius X Church Choir will perform for the services; "On Eagles' Wings", "Isaiah 49", "How Great Thou Art", "Pie Jesu" and " J'irai la voir un jour".Harry was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, who possessed exceptional wisdom and wit. He was born in the Second Ward of Lafayette Parish to Cleus P. Breaux and Amy Breaux, nee Albarado. He was a direct descendant of the pioneer Acadian, Vincent Brault, the first member of the Brault (Breaux) family to immigrate from France to North America, settling in the Port Royal area of L' Acadie (present day Nova Scotia) in 1652; and Athanase Breau (Breaux) a native of L' Acadie who in 1755 eluded the British during the infamous forced deportation of the Acadian people. In 1762, Athanase migrated to Louisiana and served as a volunteer to Spanish Governor-General Bernado de Galvez during the American Revolutionary War against the British as a member of the Militia of LaFourche des Chetimachas.Harry was raised on the family farm by loving parents of modest means. He graduated from Scott High School in 1942, and only three years later he earned his B.S. degree in accounting from SLI (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette).He worked his way through college serving as bookkeeper for the college cafeteria and waiting on tables. Later he was the business manager for The Vermilion, the SLI newspaper. During this time, he was also employed part-time by the Mike Donlon Real Estate Agency.At SLI he served as President of the Boys Club, President of Sigma Alpha Sigma Fraternity, Secretary of the Inter-Fraternity Council, and was a member of the Veterans Council and the Newman Club. He was also inducted into the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. Notwithstanding his small physical stature, he was a talented athlete, and earned a place on the SLI varsity boxing team, 112 pound class. After college he continued to compete whenever possible in adult touch football, and fast pitch softball through the Lafayette Playground and Park Commission. He proudly served his state and country as a member of the National Guard of Louisiana and the National Guard of the United States; Medical Co. 156th Infantry. He earned an Honorable Discharge with a rank of Sergeant E-5.Following graduation from college, and at the behest of then SLI President, Dr. Joel L. Fletcher, he accepted an accounting position in the college's business office.In 1948 he began a respected career in the private sector, initially with Stanolind Oil & Gas Company, which later became the Pan American Petroleum Corporation. In 1960, he joined the British American Oil Company, which was later acquired by the Gulf Oil Corporation. In 1982, after more than two decades with the Gulf Oil Corporation, he retired from his final assignment as a Special Projects Analyst.Among his civic endeavors was serving as President of the PTC at Comeaux High School, being one of the initial benefactors for the construction of the original St. Pius X Mission Chapel (now St. Pius X Catholic Church) where he was a parishioner for many years, and running as an Independent candidate for a seat on the Lafayette Parish School Board.His interests were many and varied. He was a keen political observer and a voracious reader who also enjoyed the great outdoors. In addition to his career in the oil industry, he also was at one time or another an accomplished gardener, a cattleman and a real estate developer. He collected antique automobiles and antique farm tools. He lived long enough to enjoy dozens of live oaks that he personally planted and nurtured to maturity on his homesite.Among his greatest joys in life were the relationships he enjoyed with his family, co-employees and friends. He especially enjoyed attending scholastic and athletic events in which his children and grandchildren participated, and the musical performances of his son, Dana, who was an original member of the acclaimed Cajun band, Coteau.During his retirement, he lovingly devoted much of his time to the care of his parents. Though in his final years he suffered from serious health setbacks, in his typical fashion he bravely endured in all, and in doing so inspired all who knew and loved him.Survivors include his beloved wife of sixty years, Lula M. Breaux, nee Meyers; one son, Lafayette attorney, Timothy D. Breaux, and his wife Beverly of Lafayette; two grandchildren, Jessica L. Breaux of Lafayette and Jonathan D. Breaux of Baton Rouge, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Dolly M. Thomas; and his beloved youngest son, Lafayette musician, Dana P. Breaux.Pallbearers will be Timothy D. Breaux, Jonathan D. Breaux, Ricky J. Thomas, Dallas J. Meyers, Mark V. Winslow and Horace D. Urquhart. Honorary pallbearers are Milton J. Meyers and Lee Roy Guillot.His family wishes to thank his special caregivers: Dr. S. R. Kothapalli, M.D., Dr. Gary Guidry, M.D., Dr. John J. Mickey, M.D. and Nurse Lynn Thigpen.A rosary will be prayed by Rev. Steven C. LeBlanc and The Elizabeth Ann Seaton Rosary Group at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2008.The family request that visitation be observed Sunday, May 25, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and will continue Monday, May 26, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. until time of services. Martin & Castille-Lafayette, 234-2311
