OBITUARIES

On this obituary page, we wish to honor any persons that participated in any Holy Cross-Jesuit football games and have passed away.  We are only starting this page up in April, 2003, so we have missed many already.  Please notify the webmaster at rongravois@bellsouth.net of any parties that die so we can list them here.

Beter, Henry J. "Dunk," Jr. Retired director of Biddy Basketball International and former athletic director of the New Orleans Recreation Department passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2004, at age 91.  Beter was a graduate of Jesuit High School and the first four-sport letterman in the school's history.  He was named to the All-State team in football, Basketball and baseball.  Beter played football and basketball for Loyola University.   

BRECHTEL John Patrick Brechtel III April 18, 1939 - July 7, 2010 John Patrick Brechtel III passed peacefully peacefully with the love of family and friends nearby at Heritage Home in Hammond, Louisiana on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010. He was a lifelong resident of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes until Hurricane Katrina. He was 71 years of age. Johnny graduated from Holy Cross High School and received his B.S. and M.S. from The University of Southern Mississippi where he was a "M" Club Member, 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee, and a Letterman in Football and Baseball. He was a winning Coach, Principal and Supervisor of Child Welfare in the St. Bernard Parish School System for thirty five years. A 1999 St. Bernard Parish Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, the Baseball Field at St. Bernard High School was dedicated in his honor in 2005. He was also employed by the St. Bernard Sheriffs and District Attorney's office for nearly three decades, holding the rank of Captain. Johnny was the beloved husband of Dianne Strauch Brechtel. Father of John P. Brechtel IV, William Joseph Brechtel and Michael Paul Brechtel. Father-In-Law of Monica Ledoux Brechtel and Lori Dear Brechtel. Grandfather of Evan, Julia, Jacques and Jules Brechtel. Son of the late Mr. & Mrs. John P. Brechtel, Jr. Son-in-law of the late William and Irene Strauch. Brother of The Honorable Jacqueline Brechtel Clarkson, Dr. J. Berengher Brechtel and the late Jeanne Brechtel Battistella. Brother-In-law of Arthur A. Clarkson, Dr. Rebecca Brechtel and Louis Battistella. Brother-in-law of John and Joanne Williams, William and Lydia Strauch, Shirley Gates, the late Charles Gates, the late Ollie Mae and Edward Gates. Loving Uncle to numerous nieces and nephews . Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Services from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday, July 12th, 2010 at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd., New Orleans. Mass will be at 2:00 pm with Burial at Greenwood Cemetery after Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Generations Hospice, 32948 Hwy. 16, Denham Springs, LA 70706 and St. Bernard Parish School Board 200 E. St. Bernard Hwy., Chalmette, La 70043; In Memory of Johnny Pat Brechtel. To view or sign the Family Guestbook please visit www.greenwoodfuneralhome.net

Published in The Times-Picayune on July 11, 2010

Calhoun, Clay Joseph of New Orleans died at 89 on Wednesday, December 14, 2005, having evacuated to the Baton Rouge area from Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Calhoun was captain and fullback of Jesuit High School's first state champion football team in 1933 and captain of the Loyola University football team from 1934 to 1938. He was selected by The Associated Press as first-team fullback on the Little All American Squad in 1937. He was also elected to the Chicago Tribune College All-Star Team in 1938, which beat the Washington Redskins pro football champions that year. He was captain of the 1934 Jesuit High basketball team. He also lettered in basketball at Loyola. Mr. Calhoun was inducted into the Loyola Hall of Fame in 1996. He was a Lieutenant Commander of lighter than air U.S. Navy airships during World War II, a retired oil man and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher. A compassionate individual, he was a supporter of the Anti-Defamation League and the Lighthouse for the Blind. He was a board member of the New Orleans Conference for Community and Justice. He was the beloved husband of Sybil Stevens Calhoun, father of Sybil Maria Calhoun and Clay J. Calhoun, Jr. and grandfather of Courtney Lewis Calhoun and Georgiana Calhoun. He is also survived by two sisters, Noel Downy and Geraldine Gex; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 631 State Street on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at Noon. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Clay Joseph Calhoun may be made to the Loyola University Katrina Relief Fund. 6363 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118.
Published in The Times-Picayune from 7/18/2006 - 7/19/2006.

DAIGRE Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Gerard Daigre, Sr., USAF (retired), passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at the age of 72. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Linda Charrier Daigre; and his three sons: Richard, Jr. (Lori), Robert (Traci) and Randell (Mille); as well as his adoring grandchildren: Hunter Daigre and Jordan Daigre. He is also survived by his sisters: Yvonne Landry (David) and Andree Daigre; his brother, Paul (Dottie); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Frank Joseph Daigre, Jr., and Borgia Schreiber Daigre. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Metairie, LA for the last 19 years. He was a proud member of the Jesuit High School Class of 1956. He earned his undergraduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1962, where he was a member of the Lions baseball team. He later earned an MBA from Auburn University. Following college, he proudly served as an officer in the United States Air Force for more than 22 years including service in the Vietnam War, where he received a Bronze Star. Throughout his life, he enjoyed a passion for sports and shared this passion with the next generation as a coach, referee, and teacher. More recently, he developed an interest in genealogy and traced his family history back to the 17th century in France. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at LakeLawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124 on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 12:00 noon. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time. Interment will be in Lake Lawn Park. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130 or to the charity of your choice will be appreciated. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

Heap Sr., Robert Herman (Friday, 1/21/2005, Times-Picayune) a self-employed plumber, died Tuesday of a stroke at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He was 76. Mr. Heap was born in New Orleans and lived in Abita Springs for the past 40 years. He was a member of Holy Cross High School's 1945 state champion football team and attended Marquette University. Mr. Heap was a volunteer with the St. Paul's School Athletic Association and the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was a charter member of the St. Joseph Abbey "Pennies for Bread" program. He was also a retreatant with Manresa Group 16.Survivors include his wife, Jerri Heap; six sons, Robert Heap Jr. and Gary, Michael, Edwin, David and Brian Heap; three daughters, Sharon Heap, Susan H. DeSilva and Kathleen H. Dwight; two brothers, Joseph and Raymond Heap; a sister, Dorothy H. McDow; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Mass will be said today at 11 a.m. at St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, 72040 Maple St. in Abita Springs. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home handled arrangements.  Read about Bobby Heap's participation in the 1944, 1945 and 1946 games.
 

Hereford, Percy: December 28, 1926.  This young man was a backup player on Jesuit's 1926 football team.  In a game against the U. S. Naval Station at Algiers on November 30, 1926, he suffered a broken neck.  After being improperly diagnosed and not treated at the game itself, he was taken to Hotel Dieu, where he died after suffering for almost a month.

Hanzo, Albert: January 5, 2005.  Albert Hanzo, a retired draftsman for Exxon-Mobil Oil Co., died Tuesday at Memorial Medical Center. He was 76. Mr. Hanzo was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. He graduated from Holy Cross High School, where he played on the 1947 state championship football team, and attended Louisiana State and Mississippi Southern universities. He was a member of Exxon Annuitants Club, AARP Packenham Chapter 3926, and was named Holy Cross Man of the Year in 1998. He was a parishioner of St. Maurice Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Reuther Hanzo; four daughters, Wanda Clement, Pamela Jolet, Karen Martin and Laura Hanzo; and five grandchildren. A Mass will be said today at 10:45 a.m. at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Burial will be in All Saints Mausoleum.  Read about Fullback Al Hanzo's football games against Jesuit in 1944, 1945 and 1946.

Hughes, Pel: April 16, 2003: We note with sadness the passing of one of the great stars of the Jesuit-Holy Cross football series.  As reported in the Times-Picayune of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, James "Pel" Hughes, athlete and businessman, died at the age of 87.  His athletic accomplishments at Jesuit High School were legendary.  He lettered in four sports, football, basketball, baseball and track at Jesuit in 1929 to 1933.  He was named to all-prep teams in each sport and often led the city in scoring in basketball.  He received Jesuit's Percy Hereford award for excellence in scholarship and athletics in 1933. 
        He received an athletic scholarship to Loyola, where he played football, basketball and track.  He was selected at the university's best all-around athlete in 1937.
        While employed at the Illinois Central Railroad, he agreed to play for the New Orleans Pelicans in 1945, provided he did not have to play on the road except on weekends.  He batted .303.  and set a record with 12 assists in a single game with no errors.
        Read about Pel's Jesuit-Holy Cross football exploits in the "Big Game" in 1932.
        Pel's sons and grandsons were also notable Jesuit athletes.  The tradition continues.

Key, O. J: August 12, 2004: This fine player was a celebrated tailback for Jesuit High School on what has been considered by some to be the best prep football team in New Orleans history.  That was the 1940 Blue Jays, which were the undefeated state champions.  O. J. Key died at St Tammany Parish Hospital at the age of 83.   Key spent his career as a motion picture and television actor under the stage name of Robert Keys.  He lived in California but moved to Mandeville in 2002, after his wife died.  He played opposite John Wayne, Cary Gant and Randolph Scott in many well-known movies.  After the 1940 season, Key was named the Most Valuable Player in Louisiana.  He accepted a scholarship to play for Frank Leahy at Notre Dame, but did not remain there long enough to make a name for himself in the college game.  He served in the Army in Europe during World War II.  After the war, he returned home to attend Tulane, where he was a member of the football team.  During that phase, he was offered a screen test by a motion picture talent scout and went on to have a long acting career.  He turned down an opportunity to play for the Detroit Lions, who had drafted him, since the NFL paid low wages in those years.  He had a long series of bit parts, but that was enough for Key to have a comfortable and productive life with his family, consisting of two sons and two daughters, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  A memorial service will be held on August 28 at Jesuit High School.  The classic 1940 game against Holy Cross drew 34,345 fans to City Park Stadium, despite rain.

LAGARDE Maurice Leonard Lagarde, Jr. passed away comfortably and quietly at home on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the age of 82 years. Beloved husband of 57 years to Ollie Jean Lagarde. Father of Gary S. Lagarde and Maurice Leonard Lagarde, III (Lauren). Grandfather of Jenelle Lagarde Beverly, Suzanne Lagarde Williams, Christine Lagarde Nevel, Gary Steven Lagarde, Jr, Erin Lagarde Spooner, Taylor Stephen Lagarde, and Emily Anne Lagarde. Great-grandfather of Ronte Williams, Madeleine Nevel, Colin Nevel, and Cash Beverly. Brother of Wallace Joseph Lagarde(Mary Ann) and the late Merkl Leonard Lagarde. Son of the late Morris Leonard Lagarde and Lena Anna Merkl. Also survived by nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to his many friends and would ask that in his remembrance donate to the American Heart Association , M. L. Lagarde Memorial Donation, P. O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Also, any condolences and heartfelt correspondence can be emailed to RememberingML@gmail.com and will be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by Greenwood Funeral Home.  M. L. Lagarde was a coach at St. Aloysius before moving over to Jesuit, where he coached basketball and baseball and was an assistant in football.  This was in the middle 1950's. .. continued below:

Montagnet, Man: Friday, March 5, 2004 at 3:30 pm. Oliver S. "Man" Montagnet, Sr., a retired attorney and FBI agent.   He was 94.  Father of Oliver S. "Steve" Montagnet, Jr., (Jesuit 1962).  Mr. Montagnet was a graduate of Jesuit High School, Loyola University and Loyola University Law School.  He was captain of the 1926 championship Jesuit football team and repeat captain in 1927.     See his photograph as center on the 1925 team.

Joseph Sciortino, Jr., 91 years old, a native of New Orleans, LA, died Thursday, December 7, 2006. Son of the late Joseph Sciortino and Louise Hager Sciortino. Husband of the late Edna Mallu Sciortino. Survivors include: his son, Joseph C. Sciortino and wife, Merrilyn; his daughter, Marie Louise Toth and husband, Mac; seven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and devoted friend, Ruth Connelly. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, LA. Mr. Sciortino graduated from Holy Cross and Loyola Business School. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass which will be celebrated in the chapel of LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., on Monday, December 11, 2006, at 2:00 PM. Interment in All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery. Visitation on Monday from 12:00 o'clock noon until 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, Masses preferred. Please sign and view the Family Guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.com
Published in The Times-Picayune on 12/10/2006.

Signorelli, Vincent: On Monday, August 2, 2004.  Vincent graduated from Jesuit in 1957.  He was a fine, hart-hitting guard on the teams of 1955 and 1957.  He started many games in those years.  Noted for a great sense of humor and hard work at practice every day.

SILVA Charles E. age 74, died at home Wednesday, December 8, 2010, after a long battle with cancer with his family by his side. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and lived most of his adult life in the Savannah area. He was of the Catholic Faith. After coming to the Savannah area in the 1970's he worked with the Georgia Ports and Straughn Shipping. He was an avid golfer and was a member of La Vida Country Club and Henderson Golf Club. He was preceded in death by: a brother, Richie Silva; a daughter, Catherine Silva; father, Charles E. Silva, Sr.; mother, Marie Louise Trahan; and grandparents: Otto and Ophelia Burkhardt. He is survived by: his wife of fifteen years, Sue Silva of Richmond Hill; his children: Alison Kaple, Judy Beaman (Patrick), Ann Major (Chad) all of Baton Rouge, LA, Charles Silva III of Savannah and Paul Silva (Frances) also of Savannah; his stepchildren: Suzanne Adams (Rick) of Port Wentworth, AL, Tom Perry, Jr. of Pooler, AL and Gaye Williams (Chris) of Richmond Hill; Sister-in-law, Connie Silva of Maine; 14 grandchildren; the mother of his children Camille Molero Silva; and several other family members also survive. He will be greatly missed by his devoted little dog Pebbles. The family would like to thank Dr. O. George Negrea and staff and St. Joseph's Hospital. Memorial Services will be 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 11, 2010 at Carter Funeral Home Bryan Chapel with Father Clarke Hubbard, officiating. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Lewis Cancer and Research Institute at Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion 225 Chandler Dr. Suite 204, Savannah Ga. 31405.  Charlie was an outstanding player for Jesuit's 1953 state championship team.  He played every position in the backfield.
Trahant, Reggie: March 9, 2004.  Retired loan officer.  Reggie was a stalwart guard on offense and defense (naturally) on Jesuit football teams in 1950, 1951 and 1952.  He was a member of the graduation class of 1953.

Waddell, Chris: February 24, 2004. Northwestern State redshirt freshman football player Christopher J. "Chris" Waddell, an 18-year-old New Orleans resident, died Monday evening, February 24, 2004 at Natchitoches Parish Hospital after he collapsed during a supervised offseason conditioning workout on campus.

Waddell was a 6-foot-1, 293-pound walk-on offensive lineman from Holy Cross High School. He reported to Northwestern's preseason practices in early August last year and spent last season as a member of the scout team. He had participated without incident since January in the team's offseason conditioning program, preparing for the beginning of spring practice Tuesday, said head football coach Scott Stoker. Waddell also was a member of the Northwestern track and field team as a discus thrower, but had not competed in any meets for NSU. Northwestern's sports medicine staff was not aware of any history of any health problems, said head athletic trainer Ed Evans. Waddell passed a required physical examination Aug. 13, 2003, and was medically cleared to participate in all team activities. A certified athletic trainer was on the field monitoring the workout when Waddell collapsed, said Stoker. Two more certified athletic trainers joined in efforts to resuscitate Waddell before an ambulance staffed with emergency medical technicians arrived and transported him to the hospital, where he died.  The workout was a scaled-back version of a standard conditioning team competition involving 80 players, said Stoker. Players were wearing shorts and T-shirts in 65-degree temperatures. NSU coaches were on the field managing the activities, which were lighter than normal due to the planned beginning of spring practice Tuesday, he said.  "We're just crushed and in a state of shock," said Stoker. "No words describe what we're going through, but our hearts go out to his family. Chris was a great young man, a good football player who never gave us one problem, the kind of kid you'd like your son to be, somebody who enjoyed being part of this team and being at NSU. This is so hard to understand."

Staff members from the university's department of counseling services will be available to teammates, football staff members and others needing assistance beginning Tuesday morning, said Dean of Students Dr. Dan Seymour.  Natchitoches parish coroner Dr. Charles Curtis said an autopsy would be performed.   The start of spring practice will be postponed, said Stoker.