Edmond St.Romain

Edmond James St. Romain of Mansura, La., age 81 went home to be with the Lord on January 6, 2010. He was born on June 3, 1928 in Plaucheville, La. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty Dufour St. Romain, who passed away on November 8, 2008 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimers Disease. Edmond was also preceded in death by his father Henry St. Romain, his mother Isoline Soldani St. Romain, his brothers Russell St. Romain and Layward St. Romain, and his sisters, Ruby St. Romain and Rhea St. Romain Bordelon. Edmond is survived by 8 children, 23 grandchildren, 1 step grandchild, and 22 greatgrandchildren. His children are: Philip St. Romain married to Lisa Bellecci and living in Wichita, Kansas Cynthia S. Poret married to Ray Poret and living in Mansura, La. Kenneth St. Romain married to Lucille Garrett and living in New Roads, La. Dale St. Romain living in Mansura, La. Rose Anne St. Romain living in Mansura, La. Sheila S. McWilliams married to Hugh McWilliams and living in Kolin, La. Todd St. Romain married to Sondra Fisher and living in Mansura, La. June S. Kennedy married to Mark Kennedy and living in Durham, North Carolina.
Edmond St. Romain will be waked at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura, La. on Thursday, January 7 with visitation from 5:00 10:00 p.m. with the rosary at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, January 8 from 8:00 10:00 a.m. His funeral mass will be at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Mansura on Friday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. Services will be celebrated by Father Chad Partain. Pall bearers will be Edmond St. Romains grandsons. Interment at St. Pauls Catholic Church Mausoleum will follow the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation in memory of Edmond and Betty St. Romain to: Alzheimers Association, Louisiana Chapter, 3717 Government St. Suite 7, Alexandria, LA 71302 Phone: 318 619 8383.
A native of Plaucheville, Edmond has shown his dedication to his home parish through his civic duty, community service, business, and family life. After graduating from St. Joseph School in Plaucheville in 1944, Edmonds service to Avoyelles Parish began when he joined the Navy at age 18. He was stationed in Hawaii at a military base for two years after World War II. When he returned from Hawaii, he worked in New Orleans getting onthejob training at a gasoline pump service company. In 1949 he married Betty Dufour, also from Plaucheville, and the next year they moved to Mansura to start a business and raise a family.
Edmonds history of community service spans several decades and organizations and a variety of contributions. He served on the Mansura Town Council and the Sewer Commission. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1953, a charter member of the Mansura Lions Club, was active in organizing the first Cochon de Lait Festival in 1961, was a Boy Scout Master for 4 years, was on the first board of directors for Le Theatre des Bon Temps and performed in several plays. He has also served on the board of directors of the Moncla Community Theatre and participated in many musical productions. Edmond was on the board of directors for the Arts and Humanities Council of Avoyelles before becoming president for two years and was an active member of the Friends of the Avoyelles Parish Library.
Edmond served as a trustee for St. Pauls Church Parish for a total of 8 years, went to early mass every weekday and gave his handyman skills to repairing church property. He sang in the St. Pauls Church choir since 1960 and his deep baritone voice could be heard singing at 9:00 A.M. mass every Sunday. He directed the 9:00 A.M. mass choir for the past 20 years, was a charter member of the St. Cecilia Choir and also of the mens Latin choir. Edmond also sang with his daughter entertaining residents at assisted living and senior citizen facilities.
He founded St. Romain Pump Service in 1950 and later established St. Romain Oil Co. in 1970. In 1978 he was elected president of the Louisiana Oil Marketers Association LOMA, a statewide organization of all fuel marketers after serving on the board of directors for many years.
Edmond retired from business in 1993 to take care of his wife Betty who was developing Alzheimers Disease. He visited her daily and his commitment to her care and wellbeing continues to be an inspiration for his family and friends.
Avoyelles Parish is a better place because of Edmond St. Romains lifetime of civic duty, community service, business, and family life.