John Camille Broussard

Funeral services will be held at a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maurice for John Camille Broussard, 80, who passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, 2008 at Brakebill Nursing Home in Knoxville, Tennessee. Reverend O. Joseph Breaux, Pastor of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral service. Interment will take place in St. Alphonsus Cemetery. John was a native of Maurice and a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee. He had also lived in Church Point, Lafayette, and Navarre Beach, Florida. He was a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral of Knoxville. John was a beloved husband, father and brother. John served in the US Navy during the last months of World War II. After the war, he married and moved to Church Point where he worked at People's Lumber Co. and Church Point Wholesale Grocery and Liquor Co. He later returned to college and received his BA from Univ. of Southwest Louisiana and his M.S.W at L.S.U. He is retired from the State of Louisiana as manager and counselor in the Substance Abuse Clinic in Lafayette, LA and several other satellite clinics. In retirement, he was a devoted volunteer with CODOFIL. (Council for the development of French in Louisiana) He was a "people" person who never met a stranger. He often gave tours of the Lafayette area to visiting French speaking visitors. He traveled extensively, with different groups, to Canada, France and Belgium promoting and enlightening others of the French culture of Louisiana. He was very proud of his heritage and never hesitated to tell someone that he was a Cajun and just what that meant. He was a direct descendent of Beausouil Broussard, Acadian freedom fighter. John also loved riding his bicycle and for years could often be seen traveling along the roads of Lafayette. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodcarving. Relief work of ships and old Acadian homes was his specialty. His signature was Cajun John. John's greatest love was for his family. At 70 years old, he moved from Lafayette to Knoxville to be near his children, but more importantly, his grandchildren. He never missed a ball game, a recital, or anything involving them. In his golden years, John married Claire Niven. Their time together was too short. After their marriage they enjoyed dividing their time between Knoxville, TN and Navarre Beach, FL. Survivors include his wife, Claire Niven Broussard; his children, Jeanne Cauldwell and her husband, Malcolm, Michelle Rainwater and her husband, George, Mark Broussard, and Andr' Broussard and his wife, Lori; his grandchildren, Woodson Criner, Andrew Criner and wife, Rachel of Ripley, Tennessee, John Criner, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Taylor, Emily and John Mark Broussard of Knoxville, Tennessee; one great granddaughter, Maggie Criner; seven siblings, Dr. Lastie Broussard and his wife, Rita of Scott, Louisiana, Wallace Broussard and his wife, Doris of Maurice, Louisiana, Gladys Trahan of Maurice, Louisiana, Alice Schroder and her husband, John of Beaumont, Texas, Willie Broussard and his wife, Joyce of Maurice, Louisiana, Walter Broussard and his wife, Rita of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and Faye Prejean and her husband, Paul of Beaumont, Texas; one sister-in-law, Louise Broussard of Lafayette, Louisiana; his step-children, Susan Vadasz and her husband, Bob of Stanwood, Washington, Pat Niven and his wife, Elizabeth of Pensacola Beach, Florida, and Vernon Niven and his wife, Evelyne of Los Altos Hills, California. John also had a special place in his heart for their children, Alex and Thomas Niven, Duncan and Nicole Niven, Malachi Vadasz, Lindsey and Steven Johnson, Casey Maples and Armond Garcia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jean Camille and Ada Hebert Broussard; his siblings, Edward Broussard, and Doris Dartez; and his infant brother, Claude Broussard. The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Wednesday from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm and continue on Thursday from 8:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday at 7:00 pm in the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Woodson Criner, Andrew Criner, Taylor Broussard, John Criner, Gerald Dartez, and David Trahan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be sent in the name of John Broussard to Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601-7633 or www.alz.org. Personal condolences may be sent to the Broussard family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 200 Chief H. Fred Avenue, Maurice, is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

John Camille Broussard

September 28, 1927 - May 12, 2008