Jorge Parellada

He was born October 3, 1938, in Santiago de Cuba to Alejo and Maria del Pilar Parellada.

He is survived by his beloved wife for 60 years, Nilda Mercedes; his children Jorge Alexander Parellada and Yamilet Parellada Jones; their spouses Cheryl Hymel Parellada and Thomas Scott Jones; in addition to his grandchildren Jordan Adam Parellada, Justin Alexander Parellada and Ashley Winan Parellada and his great grandson Holden Alexander Parellada. Jordi was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Jordi will be deeply missed by his family and those fortunate enough to have known him.

Jordi went to school at Universidad de Oriente Cuba and for a short period of time at Tulane University in New Orleans and Catholic University in Washington D.C when he cut his studies short due to issues related to Cuban politics.

Jordi and his wife Nilda, who was pregnant at the time, immigrated to the United States in 1963 so they could find freedom and a better life. They spent a short time in Miami until moving to New Orleans and the surrounding area where they settled permanently in Metairie, Louisiana. Jordi and his wife proudly became American citizens shortly thereafter.

Jordi worked at several different jobs initially until employed by Pan American Life Insurance and retired in January 2003 as an executive.

Jordi’s favorite hobby was art. He started drawing at the age of four, and at the time, living across a movie theater, he used to etch copies of the signs advertising new movie attractions without the ability to read the signage. Jordi was self-taught with lessons by mail and books. He became familiar with pencil, ink, watercolor, acrylic and oil. Jordi posted on his online exhibit, “I believe that art should stand without any explanation although sometimes it does not reflect the intention of the painter. This is what I try to communicate with my paintings, but if I do not obtain this result; I hope to inspire some joy…”. He also enjoyed dancing, singing, joke telling, traveling, making people laugh and his spending time with his family.

The Memorial Service will be held at Saint Edward the Confessor on Saturday, October 14 at 11 AM. Visitation to begin at 10 AM. Burial will be held afterwards at Garden of Memories 4900 Airline Drive Metairie, Louisiana 70001.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/donate).