Lones "Lonnie" James Gagnard Jr.

Lones “Lonnie” James Gagnard, Jr. was born on March 1, 1954 in New Orleans, LA. He lived in Westwego for all of his 59 years. On September 13, 2013, he died from lung cancer, with brain and abdominal metastases. Until his diagnosis, he was employed as a captain of the Plaquemines Parish Government’s ferries. Captain Lonnie, who followed in his late father’s footsteps as a ferry captain, retired from the LA DOTD CCD as a Marine Master III with 37 years of service. In addition to being the “best ferry operator”, he was also the captain who operated the Canal Street Ferry during the filming of the movie Déjà vu which filmed here in 2006. His peaceful passage into heaven was at his home with his loving family by his side. Beloved husband of Rhonda Parsons Gagnard. Devoted father of Crystal Gagnard Stokes , Alisha LaPre’ (Nick) and Lones “L.J.” James Gagnard, III. Loving grandfather of Hannah Katie Stokes, Lennon Matthew Betancourt and Avery Grace LaPre’. He is preceded in by his father , Lones “Frenchie” James Gagnard, Sr. and his brother Norris Andrew Gagnard. He is survived by his mother, Joan Williams Gagnard, his sisters Cathy Kimmerly (Ronnie), Sheila Faucheaux (Ray), Cynthia Freeman (Edmund), his father-in-law Carlton Parsons, his mother-in-law Mary Parsons, his brother-in-law Kurt Parsons (Sharon), his sister-in-law Carla Beebe (Billy), 5 nieces, 6 nephews, 4 great nieces, 3 great nephews, and many dear friends, especially Ursula and Lindsay Ayer, III. The family would like to offer special thanks to the devoted doctors, nurses, aides and staff of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington, St. Tammany Parish Hospital, and Heart of Hospice for their compassion, wisdom, and care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Lonnie’s memory to the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 1203 South Tyler St., Covington, LA 70433, 985-276-6845 or www.marybird.org/hero ; The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 1-800-227-2345; Susan G. Komen Foundation, 504-455-7310, www.komenneworleans.org
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service in the Chapel of MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 7040 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA on Monday, September 16, 2013 at 1PM. Interment, Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Westwego, LA. Parlors will be open on Monday from 10AM until 1PM. A gathering at his home to celebrate his life will follow the interment. Family and friends may view and sign the online guestbook at www.mothefunerals.com .