Lorcey Joseph Sonnier

World War II veteran, public servant, and devoted parishioner of Our Lady fo Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lorcey Joseph Sonnier has passed away at the age of 91, on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 8:59 pm at his residence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 21, 2015 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Leroy, LA for Mr. Sonnier. Reverend Johnathan Janise, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Interment will take place in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery, Leroy, LA Born on May 2, 1924 to parents in the little farming community of Leroy, LA; he will learn the trade of farming that will eventually lead him , at the age of 13, to become the main provider for his family upon the sudden death of his father in 1937. His early ascension to manhood will prepare him for the next stage of life. During his 18th year, as with many others, he will be drafted into the military to serve his country during World War II on February 12, 1943. Upon completion of basic training, he finally learned his fate would be in serving in the Army Air Force as a Tail Gunner on a B-17 stationed out of Cambridge England. He became a part of the 91st bomb group, 322nd squadron. “Frenchie”, as his crewmates fondly called him, was assigned to the crew of the newly commissioned B-17 which they applicable named the “Ack-Ack-Annie”. After serving 30 mission flights over Europe and Germany, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air medal with Oak leaf clusters among other medals for service. He then returned to the states to serve out his tour as an instructor. He and other servicemen who flew on B-17 bombers were sent to Montana to help in fighting a fire with local firemen when word reached them that the War was finally over. On October 4, 1945 he was officially honorable discharged and returned back to Leroy to continue where he left off as a rice, cotton, and cattle farmer. Lorcey Sonnier will then meet and marry his wife, Annie Breaux, in 1948 and the two will be together for 61 years raising three girls on the family land in Leroy. Sadly one of the Lorcey’s greatest honors from the war was bestowed upon him just a few years after Annie’s passing in November 2009. On June 28, 2012 the country of France sent Francois Delattre, the Ambassador of France to the United States, to bestow France’s highest distinction, the title of Chevalier de la legion d’honneur to Lorcey. It is France’s highest award and one of the most coveted in the world. Napoleon Bonaparte created the award to acknowledge services rendered to France by persons of great merit and accomplishments. His service to the community came in many forms. As a deputy with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff office in the form of a dispatcher and later transporting veterans and seniors to charity and veterans hospitals all over the state for more than 15 years. He was also a member of the American Legion of Kaplan and the VFW in Ridge. He also served his church, Our Lady of Perpetual help, as an usher for 50 years; cemetery manager for 23 years; Eucharistic Minister; and a member of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus 8059 for which he obtained the rank of Grand Knight. For his outstanding dedication to his community and parish, on January 16, 2009, the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette bestowed upon him the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award. He is survived by his three daughters, Glenda Sonnier of Leroy, Sue Sonnier of Leroy, and Bonnie Bergeron and husband Larry of Abbeville; seven grandchildren, Carmen Mosing, Jamie Matte, Monty Bergeron and wife Abbie, Jonathon Standridge and his wife Kim, Jill Standridge Dubois and husband Joshua, , Drake Meaux and wife Carissa, and Jardin Meaux; ten great-grandchildren, Seth, Trey, Chloe, Chase, Jayden, Gracin, and Coleman, Gracin, Parker Draylon and Cealy. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Annie Breaux Sonnier; one son, Joseph Sonnier; two grandsons-in-law, Tim Mosing and Scotty Matte; his sister, Anite Sonnier Duhon. The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Monday, December 21, 2015 from 9:00 am until time of services. A Rosary will be recited Monday at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Pallbearers will be grandsons, nephews and honor guards. Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Bergeron, Jamie Matte, Monty Bergeron, Johathon Standridge, Jill Dubois, Drake Meaux, Jardin Meaux, Seth matte, and Trey Matte. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorcey’s name to the Disable American Veterans Charitable trust, www.DAV.org Personal condolences may be sent to the Sonnier family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 200 Chief H. Fred Avenue, Maurice, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Lorcey Joseph Sonnier

May 2, 1924 - December 18, 2015