Patrick Anthony Sonnier

Private Memorial Services will be held for Dr. Patrick Anthony Sonnier, 78, who passed away on April 6, 2017 at Lafayette General Medical Center. Rev. Chester Arceneaux, Pastor of St. John's Cathedral, will conduct the funeral service. Dr. Sonnier, a resident of Lafayette , was the son of the late Bentley Sonnier and the former Gertrude Richard. He grew up close to downtown Lafayette and attended Cathedral as a boy. At the age of 10 he was the youngest licensed H.A.M. Radio Operator in Louisiana receiving his call sign W5WMU. This became his lifelong hobby and passion. After graduating from Cathedral High School he attended college at S.L.I. and L.S.U. He graduated L.S.U. Medical School, and then served his internship at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. He returned home to Lafayette to begin his very successful career. He began his private practice in Broussard, LA. and culminated in his founding of Acadiana Family Physicians with Dr. John Bernard in the mid 1990's. He maintained his Board Certification in the American Association of Family Practitioners throughout his career. He was cherished by his patients, respected by his peers, and acknowledged in the Times of Acadiana and Louisiana Life Magazine as a favorite Physician. In addition to loving the practice of medicine, he found joy in the operation of the two amateur radio stations he built--one in Breaux Bridge (W5WMU) and the most recent in Lubec, ME (W1WMU). He won multiple worldwide amateur radio contests. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Alice Boyert Sonnier; children, Eric Sonnier, Scott Sonnier (Zoë), Doug Sonnier, and Natalie Sonnier Chustz (Andrew); grandchildren, Hannah Hume (James), Sarrah Sonnier, Emma Sonnier, Andrew Sonnier, and Madelyn Sonnier; and sister, Adele S. Blue (Sheldon A.). He was preceded in death by his parents, Bentley Antoine "Chief" Sonnier and Gertrude Richard Sonnier; brother, Robert B. Sonnier; and son, Matthew Sonnier. The family would like to thank the staff of LGMC, Acadian Ambulance, and the Lafayette Fire Dept. for their care. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Sonnier's name can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the Wounded Warriors Project. "We know many members of the community would have loved to express their condolences in person, but in accordance with Pat's wishes, the service will be private." - The Sonnier Family Personal condolences may be sent to the Sonnier family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Patrick Anthony Sonnier

July 22, 1938 - April 6, 2017