Dailey Joseph Berard

Dailey Joseph Berard passed away on October 19, 2011. Mr. Berard, a resident of Lafayette, LA, was the son of the late Blanc Berard of St. Martinville, Louisiana and the former Maude Broussard of St. Martinville, Louisiana. He was a member of Holy Cross Church. Dailey loved his family and always put them first. He also loved his ranch and his dogs, Katrina, Rita, Chinco and Sambo. He was a lover of nature and enjoyed crafting furniture made from cypress wood. At age 15, he sat in the movies and watched Errol Flynn wiping out the "Japs" and this enticed him. The war was making everything happen at a much faster pace, and he wanted to get into the fight before it ended. Boxing had conditioned him for this endeavor. He completed high school at age 16 and enlisted in the Army. 90 days later, following his basic training, he was in route to Japan to join the 738th Army Engineers in the occupation of Japan, clearing up the munitions and bombs scattered around Yokohama. A couple of years later, he returned from Japan and perused a Civil Engineering education. His love for boxing began when he was participating as a Golden Glove Boxer at New Iberia High School. Throughout 1946-47 he remained an undefeated Golden Glove Champion in the 120 lb. weight class. He also followed up on his boxing skills in the military in Japan where he boxed during his off time. His early boxing propelled him into his lifetime endeavors which made boxing dear to him. Mr. Berard has served as either director, member, president or chairman of the following organizations: Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Lafayette Economic Development Authority, Community College Task Force, Vo-Tech School Advisor, Lafayette School Board Advisor, University of Southwestern Louisiana Board of Trustees, Council for a Better Louisiana, Public Affairs Research Council, Priorities for the Future, American Civil Engineering Society, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, New Iberia Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Intracoastal Seaway Association, The International Relations Association of Acadiana, Evangeline Economic Development, Advisor of the governor, Louisiana Department of Labor, Department of Environmental Quality, National Defense Executive, Louisiana Workforce Commissioner, Governor's Club, PAR Lafayette Regional Development Committee, Division Chairman USL Centennial Campaign, Louisiana Engineering Society, Iberia Industrial Foundation Action Team, Port of Iberia Business Association, Louisiana Council for Economic Education, National Right to Work Committee, United States Congressional Advisor Board, Republican National Committee, The Planetary Society, L.A.B.I.- WestPac, 2000 Iberia Distinguished Citizen Award, Evangeline Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and Shadows of the Teche. He also held the 2005 International Achievement Award and was the Louisiana Chairman for 2006 Presidential Dinner and was a Member of the American Cancer Society. He was the founder of Universal Fabricators Incorporated. He is survived by wife of 62 years Nathalie (Putsy) Mary LeBlanc Berard; three daughters Deadra Touchet and husband Tommy of Lafayette, LA, Karen Berard Ellis of Lafayette, LA, and Angela Thibeaux and husband Ben of Lafayette, LA; three brothers, Russel Berard, Jimmy Berard and David Berard all of New Iberia, LA; six grandchildren, Lacie Lee, Tara Luquette, Nathalie Ellis, Bonnie Ellis Brackeen, B.C. Thibeaux, and Dailey Thibeaux as well as three great grandchildren, Ashlyn Lee, Jax Lee and Jordan Luquette. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family has arranged private services. Personal condolences may be sent to the Berard family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Dailey Joseph Berard

August 9, 1929 - October 19, 2011