Gene Arthur Lemoine Sr.

Gene Lemoine left his life on earth and his loving family on February 2, but leaves behind a true legacy of love and laughter. Preceded in death by Sylvia, his beloved wife of 64 years, Gene happily joins her and looks forward to reuniting with his parents Weston and Anne Lemoine and his baby brother, Chip.

Gene was a one of a kind man. Quick witted, hard working, he was also a devoted family guy. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his three kids

Gene (Joy) Cynthia (Dennis) and Barry (Katherine). He was also the much-loved Papa to seven grandchildren Chase, Gene (Courtney) Jennifer (George) Jessica (Grant) and Samantha (Lee) Lemoine and Cody (Jessica) and DJ Knecht (Kacie). Gene is also survived by his ten great grandchildren - Ava, Ayden, Charlee, Cora, Everlee. George III, Isabella, Kane, Krue, and Stella, his sister, Patsy, and extended members of the Lemoine and Vollenweider families.

Gene loved learning. A proud member of the Mensa Society, his approach to life was analogous to an appetizer platter at a Chinese Restaurant - he wanted a little taste of everything. Over the years, he was a master clock repairman, a crafter in both macrame and crochet. He took art classes and had a special board built so that he could learn to tapdance. During his life, he owned a convertible, a motor boat, a sailboat, a motorcycle, and a pair of trucks to haul gravel for a small business he started.

He coached Little League baseball and like most things, he taught himself. He was big on motivation and reminding everyone of the importance of teamwork. That commitment was also a part of his success in work. Over the years, he worked his way up from a clerk to the Vice President of a concrete company. By the time he was 50 and his kids were out of the house, Gene took on a new set of challenges. On that milestone birthday, he quit both his job and smoking and jumped out of a plane. Soon after he began working in the world of finance, becoming one of the oldest Rookie Agents of the Year. He used his new found expertise to help others plan ahead.

His success also afforded him the opportunity to travel and he took great pride in having visited every state in the US and multiple European countries.

The source of much advice and inspiration, Gene had a bevy of quotes and stories to illustrate his teachings. A lover of books, Gene at one time immersed himself in the Great Books of the World and never met a magazine subscription he didn’t buy. He would remark,”for that price, even if I get one idea out of it, it’s worth it.”

Born in Moreauville, a village in Avoyelles Parish, Gene moved to New Orleans as a child, attending public schools and after graduating from Nicholls High in 1955, married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia.

Three kids over the next ten years and a hurricane named Betsy brought the Lemoine family from the 9th Ward to the Golden Era of New Orleans East. From there, Gene and Sylvia moved to the tranquility of Venetian Isles before Katrina pushed them even further east to Slidell.

For the last three years, Gene has resided in his apartment in Summerhouse Park Provence, or as he liked to call it “his little cocoon.” The Lemoine family is grateful for the compassion and care Gene received there and from the caregivers from Interim Hospice.

A good man with good family and friends, Gene had a good life and said he’s only sorry he only will miss his funeral by a few days - he heard it was going to be nice.

For those of you who can attend, visitation will take place on Friday, February 16th from 9 - 11 am at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens with a ceremony to follow. In lieu of flowers, in Gene’s memory, please perform a random act of kindness, read to a child, or share a joke. He’d appreciate it.