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Joseph M.
“Pee Wee” Broussard

Joseph M. “Pee Wee” Broussard

LAFAYETTE - A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette for Joseph M. “Pee Wee” Broussard, 97, who passed away at his residence on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, surrounded by his family.
Burial was in St. Leo’s Church Cemetery in Roberts Cove.
The Very Reverend Chester C. Arceneaux, VF, Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, was the celebrant of the Funeral Mass and conducted the funeral services.
Mr. Broussard was a native of Vermilion Parish, born Febr. 12, 1919, being the 13th of 14 children born to the late Mozard Broussard and the late Azelima Mhire Broussard. He was raised in the Kaplan/Indian Bayou area and was a country boy at heart.
At the time of his death, he had reached the age of 97 years old, making him the oldest surviving member of his family.
His first passion was music, being a self-taught banjo and guitar player as well as a vocalist. His formal music career began with Mr. Al Terry’s band, a local favorite. He later played with “Happy Fats” (Leroy Leblanc) and the Rayne-Bo Ramblers. This is when he earned the name “Pee Wee” as he was the smallest member of the band.
During 1940-1941, the band traveled to Dallas to record for RCA and played a live show regularly at a Lafayette radio station, KVOL.
With the onset of World War II, Mr. Broussard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. He served six months as a medic at LaGarde General Hospital in New Orleans. He received an honorable discharge from the Army.
Following his military service, he began a career in sales while still moonlighting as a musician. While working at Rayne Wholesale, he was introduced to his future wife, Anna Maria Spaetgens. Joseph and Maria were married Nov. 28, 1945, at St. Leo’s Church in Roberts Cove.
Joseph continued to work in sales, primarily in the food industry, at one time owning his own business, Bruce’s Cash Grocery, in Rayne.
Following the birth of their first daughter in 1948, the Broussards moved to Lafayette and bought the home they have lived in ever since.  Joseph remained in the food industry for many years until his retirement from B.F. Trappey and Sons in 1982.
Music continued to be a very important part of his life. He remained close to his musician buddies playing for dances, in nursing homes or just informal “jam” sessions at his home. In later years, he worked diligently and successfully to teach himself how to play the violin. He enjoyed playing music and making taped recordings for friends and family.
Joseph and Maria were faithful members of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parish for almost 70 years. For many years he was a member of the Holy Name Society in his parish. He taught his family many valuable lessons about family love and family ties, always putting God first, being happy with the blessings you were given and just enjoying life.
Joseph is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Anna Maria Spaetgens Broussard; five daughters, Faye Blankenship and husband James, Betty Serrette and husband Johnny, Laura Gardner and husband Adrian, Elaine Thibodeaux and husband Dempsey and Judy Dugas; 10 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mozard Broussard and the former Azelima Mhire.
The family requested that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s Downtown location on Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until time of service.
A Rosary was prayed Friday at 7 p.m. in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Dempsey Thibodeaux, Johnny Serrette, Brian Blankenship, Nicholas Thibodeaux, Hayden Dugas and Ron Broussard.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Father Ken Broussard, Father Ted Broussard, Father Chester Arceneaux, Father Patrick Broussard, Deacon George Jourdan, life-long friend Milton Guilbeau, Acadian Home Health, Louise Frederick NP, Heart of Hospice staff and his faithful caretakers, Danielle and Jennifer, for their assistance and prayers during Dad’s lengthy illness.
The family would also like to thank the many friends and relatives who visited Dad during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Joseph M. Broussard’s name to Heart of Hospice, 201 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette, LA 70501

 
 

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