Frank Gerace

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Frank Joseph Gerace at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 28, 2014 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Melville, La. Father James Nguyen will celebrate the Mass along with cocelebrant Reverend Jim Brady. Rite of Committal will be held in the St. John Catholic Church Cemetery in Melville, La.

Mr. Gerace, age 84, a resident of Bayou Current, La., died on November 25, 2014 at 4:08 p.m. at his residence surrounded by his family.

Frank Brother Gerace spent most of life farming the land he loved. He was a member of Cursillo Who Wills It. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 406, and also served St. John the Evangelist as a Eucharistic Minister. He proudly served our country in the United States Army from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1956. During that time, he actively served in the Korean War in which he received the Combat Infantryman Badge, the prestigious Silver Service Star and the United Nations Service Medal. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Peggy Moreau Gerace, of Bayou Current, La. his four sons, Blake Gerace and wife, Monette, of Opelousas, La. Randy Gerace and wife, Robbie, of Palmetto, La. Douglas Gerace, and wife, Candy, of Bayou Current, La. Darrell Gerace, and wife Sheila, of Bayou Current, LA his daughter, Joy Hirvonen and husband Mikael, of Houston, TX his sister, Rose Clark and husband, Tony, of Bayou Current , La. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, who proudly called him Poppa Stoppa. Rhonda Gerace Bergeron and husband, Aaron Adam Gerace and wife, Samantha Nicholas Gerace and wife, Courtney Jennifer Gerace Beale and husband, Gareth Halie Gerace, Brooke Gerace, Hunter Gerace, Christopher Gerace and wife, Kelley Adrienne Gerace Stelly and husband, Nick Laura Gerace, Jonathan Gerace and wife, Shantel Aaron Gerace and wife, Delaina Emily Gerace, Ava Hirvonen, Gianna Hirvonen, and Jude Hirvonen. He is also survived by 6 stepgrandchildren, Ashlyn, McKenzie, and Tori Collins Paige, Ryan and Gaylen Delatte and 25 greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Antoninia Lena Gerace his brother, Louis Gerace, and his sister, Seraphine Bertholl.

Visiting will begin at the LaFondArdoin Funeral Home in Melville on Thursday, November 27, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will reopen on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Franks six grandsons, Aaron, Adam, Christopher, Hunter, Jonathan, and Nicholas, will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers are Darrell, Douglas, Randy, and Blake Gerace.

Readers include Candy Gerace, Monette Gerace, and Rhonda Bergeron. Offertory gifts servers are David Bertholl, Gerald Bertholl and Hannah Johnson.

The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Tate for 40 years of devoted medical care. In addition, Guy Perrodin with Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care provide extraordinary medical support.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com

LaFondArdoin Funeral Home of Melville, 607 First Street, Melville, LA 71353, 9422638 has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Visitation

LafondArdoin Funeral Home
607 First Street
Melville, LA  71353
Thursday, November 27, 2014
5:00pm until 9:00pm

Service

Rosary

LafondArdoin Funeral Home
607 First Street
Melville, LA  71353
Thursday, November 27, 2014
7:00pm

Church

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
318 First Street
Melville, LA  71353
Friday, November 28, 2014
10:30am

Cemetery

St. John Church Mausoleum
318 First Street
Melville, LA  71353