Griffin L. Gomez

Funeral services will be held at a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, February 22, 2008 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Griffin Laurence Gomez, 85, who passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at Maison de Lafayette Nursing Home. Reverend Steven LeBlanc, Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church, will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Griffin was born on May 24, 1922 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His parents, the late Lawrence F. Gomez and the former Anastasie Alleman instilled in him the qualities of character and integrity that earned him much deserved respect throughout his entire life. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, the former Camille Castagnos; four sons, Ed Gomez of Sunset, Don Gomez and wife, Susan of Houma, Alan Gomez of Lafayette, and Les Gomez and wife, Michelle of Lafayette; and one stepdaughter, Cindy Gomez. He was very proud of his twelve grandchildren, Chantel, Daniel, Elishah, Caleb, Hauilah, Heather, Ryan, Jenna, Kevin, Matthew, Zachary, Jacob; and four great grandchildren. He leaves two sisters, Elaine Cortelloni, and Dorothy wife of Jack Frazee of Baton Rouge; two brothers, Hewitt Gomez and wife, Jackie, and Ron Gomez and wife, Carol of Lafayette; as well as many nieces and nephews. After one year of enrollment at LSU, where he majored in Music and played trombone in the Golden Band from Tigerland, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Naval Air Force. He graduated as a pilot from the Pensacola Naval Air Station in early 1944 as a Lieutenant, JG and became a flight instructor. Most of his wartime duty was devoted to flying wounded service men and women from the Pacific Theater War Zones and to the United States for treatment. He returned in the Naval Air Force for four years after the war, stationed primarily in Guam and China. He returned to Baton Rouge and resumed his studies at LSU, graduating in 1949 with a Journalism degree. His first newspaper job was in Jeanerette and a year later he became the editor for the Daily Iberian in New Iberia. Later he became the advertising manager and part owner of the Daily World in Opelousas. While in Opelousas, he and the late Tony Chachere became very close friends. Griffin helped Tony prepare and promote Tony's famous 'Cajun Country Cookbook.' He edited that book as well as several other publications. During his tenure in the newspaper business, he was elected and served twice as President of the Louisiana Press Association. He won over 50 state press awards and two international awards for Editorial and Advertising copy, layout and ideas. He was the co-publisher for the Ville Platte Gazette. He was the president and founder of Community Newspaper Representatives, the regional vice-president for the International Newspaper Executives, and participant in the 2-week newspaper management seminar, American Press Institute, Columbia University, in which only 28 people were invited. Griffin was an associate broker for Merrill Lynch Realty, Million Dollar producer, and chairman, ethics committee and public relations committee for the St. Tammany Board of Realtors. An avid golfer, hunter and fisherman, he belonged to the Indian Hills Country Club of Opelousas and in his Retirement years, he and his wife lived and enjoyed golf at the Beau Chene Country Club in Mandeville, Louisiana. He was a Lector at St. Landry Catholic Church. Playing music was an important part of his life. He continued to perform as a trombonist with several local orchestras, the last being The 'Iberians.' He also served as manager of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra for several years. The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Thursday from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm and continue on Friday from 8:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Pallbearers will be his sons and grandsons. Special thanks for their devoted assistance go to Dr. Kenneth McCarron, Dr. Juan Zeik, the staff at Lafayette General Medical Center, the staff at Maison de Lafayette, and Hospice of Acadiana. Words of comfort may be expressed to the Gomez family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Griffin L. Gomez

May 24, 1922 - February 19, 2008