Joseph Gebelin Hynes

Joseph Gebelin Hynes passed away at his home on December 9, 2023, from leukemia. He was 76 years old. Joe was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, James H. Hynes and Elizabeth Gebelin Hynes, sister Kenny Hynes and brother James Hynes, Jr. Joe is survived by wife Elaine Poirier Hynes, son Joseph Gebelin Hynes, Jr. and wife Kristi, daughter Jessica Hynes Babcock and husband Stephen, and granddaughter Audrey Babcock. He is also survived by siblings Mary Anne Hynes Frenzel (Michael), Juliette Hynes (Vernon Smith) and their families. Joe was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, having attended Our Lady of Mercy School, Baton Rouge High School, and Louisiana State University. He grew up downtown. His childhood home was next to the Old State Capitol, the grounds of which were his childhood playground. An afternoon's entertainment could be a ferry ride to Port Allen and back. Later, the family moved to a property on Jefferson Highway, considered "out in the country" at the time. Before finishing his degree at LSU, Joe answered the call of his country and joined the Army. One of his many duties during his service was as a medical assistant in a field hospital (MASH Unit), providing critical care to wounded soldiers in Vietnam. He often shared his experiences there and was proud of his efforts working alongside fellow soldiers, doing their best to care for the wounded. This true sense of camaraderie had a lasting influence on his life. In Joe's later years, he became involved with the We Honor Veterans program, honoring veterans living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as those in hospice. A dutiful and very patriotic man, Joe would often celebrate Veteran's Day at national cemeteries. When Joe returned from Vietnam, he completed his LSU degree and began a banking career. His career spanned thirty-five-plus years. Some of that time was spent working for the FDIC/RTC, restructuring various failing banks nationwide. He retired from Whitney Bank in 2013. Joe was a founding member and past president of The Baton Rouge Ancient Athlete Society. He enjoyed joining other members to march in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Joe met the love of his life, Elaine, in the 1970s, and they shared 44 years of marriage. As he would often say, he married a woman, "full of life like himself, but with a lot more self-control." Joe had a great love for the outdoors and adventure. He was a world-class companion. Always young at heart, Joe could be found planning a cross-country road trip, Atchafalaya boudin tasting tour, blues festival attendance, out-of-his-league mountain trek, or historic battleground visit throughout America and Europe. He was an avid fisherman in the waters of Louisiana or wherever fish could be found, traveling near and far to "catch the big one." Joe never met a stranger and took immense pride and pleasure in his many varied friendships. Joe was so grateful for his Catholic faith and its meaning brought him great joy. He was a regular attendee at the Manresa House of Retreats in Convent, Louisiana. Joe was also a friend and supporter of the sisters of The Franciscan Missionaries of our Lady, believing in their mission wholeheartedly. Joe loved his faith, his family, his country, and his friends. He was known for his generous spirit and infectious smile. Joe's granddaughter Audrey knew him as "JoJo," and everyone else knew him simply as "Joe." He will be sorely missed by his many loved ones. The Hynes family wants to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at The Hematology Oncology Clinic and The Baton Rouge General Oncology and Transfusion Units for their compassion and excellent care. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101, or United Service Organization (USO), P. O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677. Funeral services will be held on December 15, 2023 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Visitation is scheduled from 10:00 to 12:00, with a funeral mass to follow. A graveside burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park, 4045 North Street, Baton Rouge.