Unell Paul Verret

NEW IBERIA - A Memorial Mass will be held for Unell Paul Verret, 85, at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Fr. Bill Melancon officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors by the Iberia Veterans Honor Guard.

A gathering of family and friends will take place at the church on Friday from 1:00 pm until the service time.

Unell passed away peacefully at his home on August 4, 2016 in New Iberia surrounded by his family. He was born to the late Luclide and Julia Rogers Verret on August 7, 1930 in Avery Island.

He graduated from New Iberia Senior High in 1950 and proudly served our country in the US Army in the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. Immediately following his discharge, he began employment with Shell Oil Company and worked in the Oil Shipping Division at Weeks Island until his retirement in 1985.

He officiated and was commander of the Verret-Bourgeois American Legion Post 335 on Avery Island at an early age after his brother, Lionel Verret, died while in active duty in World War II. He also was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Woodmen of the World and the Shell Pensioners Club. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, bowling and cooking for his family and the American Legion Post after it moved to New Iberia.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Nancy Viator Verret; three daughters, Cyndi V. Guercio and fiancé Trey Gassie, Trudie Verret, Kathy V. and husband Jon McCain; one son, Brian Paul Verret; grandson, Matthew Guercio and partner Dustin Barbour; step grandchildren, Shannon McCain, Misty M. and husband Brandon Breaux, Lindsey M. and husband Joshua Guidry; and eight step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luclide and Julia Rogers Verret; two brothers, Howard and Lionel Verret; and two sisters, Nolia V. Mire and Una V. Judice.

The family would especially like to thank his caregiver Jessica Jones and Bridgeway Hospice nurse, Rhea Francois who acquired a special, trusting relationship with him keeping his last days comfortable, Gary Harmon and the staff at Bridgeway. Thanks also goes out to Dr. Robert Hankenhof, Dr. Paul Gulotta, Jr., and Dr. Eugene Ashi for their care and dedication for Unell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Bridgeway Health and Hospice, 2014 W. Pinhook Drive, Suite 604, Lafayette, LA 70508.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.