Joseph Waitz

Joseph Lee Waitz, 80, peacefully passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2013, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was a native of Alexandria, LA and resident of Houma, LA. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2013, from 9:30 AM until service time at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2013, at 1:30 PM at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Thibodaux, LA. He is survived by his wife, Nellie Maestri Waitz, sons, Joseph Waitz, Jr. and wife Giselle, Houma, LA, David Waitz and wife Carmen, Houma, LA, John Waitz and wife Kristian, Baton Rouge, LA, Doug Waitz, Lafayette, LA, daughters, Debbie Ortego and husband Dana, Houma, LA Mary Riviere and husband Robert, Thibodaux, LA, Michelle Marmande and husband Ed, Houma, LA, grandchildren, Joseph Waitz, III, Catherine Waitz, Brian Waitz, Chris Waitz, Jacob Waitz, Stephen Waitz, John Michael Waitz, Jr., Christopher Leighton Waitz, Katherine Claire Waitz, Matthew Ortego, Michael Ortego, Anna Catherine Ortego, Patrick Riviere, Benjamin Riviere, Isabelle Marmande, Ian Marmande. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nellie Louise "Nell" Tauzin Hayden, father, Joseph Lee Waitz, step father, Rushing "Rush" Hayden and grandson, Zachary Paul Waitz. Joseph L. Waitz was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on April 23, 1933. He graduated from Bolton High School in 1951. He attended Louisiana State University and received a B. S. Degree in Business Administration on January 29, 1957. He received a Juris Doctorate Degree from Louisiana State University Law School on May 30, 1959. He was admitted to practice in 1959 before all Louisiana Courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts. He is a member of the Terrebonne Bar Association, the Louisiana Bar Association and the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Associated. Four of his children, Joe, Jr., Mary, John & Douglas, followed in his footsteps and graduated from law school. Deborah (Debbie) is a legislative aide to Rep. Gordon Dove, David is a civil engineer and Michelle is a school teacher and real estate agent. Among his many awards is The Elton Darsey Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Terrebonne Bar Association in June 2010, in recognition of years of service to the practice of law and establishing a higher level of legal professionalism through his devotion to the Court and his alliance with other members of the Bar Association. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation from Catholic Social Services for service and contribution to the Catholic Social Services Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the LSU Board of Regents and was later appointed to serve as a member of the LSU Board of Supervisors for many years beginning in April of 1991. Additionally, he was honored in 2011 by the LSU Law Center for his years of service to the legal profession. He was a man of unshakeable faith who devoted his entire life to God. He was a long-time parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. His greatest joy in life was being surrounded by his family, and he always showed a proud smile at every family gathering. He was a kind-hearted and generous man, always giving his all to anyone in need, and he never missed an opportunity to make a joke or pull a prank on those he loved. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Russell Henry, Eugene Nguyen, Jeremy Chiasson, his private caregivers, and the staff of Bayou Home Care for their compassionate care, going far beyond the call of duty. A special thanks to his faithful bridge partners who never ceased to provide him weekly challenging games which he so enjoyed. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Louis Infant Crisis Center 3513 Bayou Black Dr, Houma, LA 70360.