Lawrence J. "Chick" Chighizola

Lawrence J. “Chick, Boomer” Chighizola passed away on Friday December 8, 2023. Whatever name you called him, he was sure to meet you with a smile and a joke. Chick was born on July 3, 1942 to the late Lawrence W. and Edith Encalade Chighizola. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, James and Lara Encalade and his aunt, Mary Ann Encalade. Chick is survived by his bride, Erin Screen Chighizola; his sisters, Anita Chighizola Giarusso and Cecilia Chighizola Simoneaux (David); brothers, Thomas and Anthony Chighizola; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Delia S. and Larry Popovich. Chick and Erin had no children of their own but had many nieces and nephews on his and Erin’s side of the family. They were married for 57 years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at St. Alphonse Church in the Irish Channel, where he grew up. The friends and memories he had there remained in his heart forever. He attended St. Alphonse Grade School and was a 1961 graduate of Redemptorist High School. Two of his favorite things were fried chicken and shopping. Food shopping, clothes shopping, furniture shopping, you name it. He loved shopping. Following graduation, Chick worked for the N.O. Retailers Credit Bureau where he met Erin Screen. He told his co-workers he would marry that girl one day. It took him only 5 years to do just that. He later worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Co., then Neal W. Kaye, Schlitz Beer and lastly Crescent Distributing Co. He was not an alcohol drinker. Erin always said he got high on air. Chick served in the Louisiana National Guard in the 159 Evac Hospital from 1963 until 1969 with some of his friends from the Irish Channel. He and Erin loved baseball. He was a big N.Y. Yankees fan and an Alabama Football fan, which resulted in a lot of teasing from others. He loved being around people. Once he met you, he considered you a friend. Chick loved his and Erin’s family with his whole heart. “Always good-natured, good humored and free”. He will be deeply missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., near Clearview Pkwy., in Metairie, LA on Saturday, December 16, 2023 beginning at 10:00 AM with a Memorial Mass to follow at 12:00 noon in Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home’s chapel. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.