Raphael Juneau

Raphael “Ray” Juneau, a native of Bordelonville, La. and long time resident of Donaldsonville, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Ray was born in 1938 to Linus and Oline (Normand) Juneau, and was the youngest of 11 children. He was a Veteran and a retiree of Union Pacific Railroad where his career as an agent and telegraph operator spanned 44 years. After retiring from the railroad, he worked with his nephews at Le Triomphe Property Group for 6 1/2 years before starting an exciting new career with the Ascension Parish Court System. From the age of 68-76 Ray worked as a bailiff for District Judges Mire and Tureau. He loved his job and acquired a vast amount of knowledge from his time in the courtroom. He was a long time parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Smoke Bend and actively involved in the church and community. He was a member and office holder of many organizations including the VFW (firing squad), Forty & Eight Veterans Organization, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and St. Joseph’s Society. Ray was an avid reader and especially enjoyed the courtroom drama novels by John Grisham. His love of reading was well known and he even received an award from the parish library for the most books read. He was committed to his fitness and enjoyed working out and conversing with others at the gym. On Saturday mornings you could find him at the local McDonald’s sitting around a table with his buddies discussing the world’s problems over coffee and biscuits. Ray was a people person and loved reconnecting and visiting with his childhood friends and classmates. He was a man of God; a selfless and giving person who always made it a point to recognize and compliment the good in others. He had a unique gift of uplifting those around him with kind words, a gentle smile, and a sense of reassurance. It is this most endearing characteristic of Ray that we will miss the most but he left us with a beautiful legacy; one of a life lived with faith and love and goodness that is forever etched in the hearts of all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter Monique Juneau Chiasson (husband Jeff Chiasson); a brother, Patrick Steve Juneau; his grand fur baby, Lucy Lou, numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Marcotte Juneau; son, Raphael Juneau, Jr.; parents, Linus and Oline Juneau; brothers, Linus, Herman, Numa and Burton Juneau; sisters, Laura Coco, Verna Caliva, Bernice Bertoneau, Genevieve LeBlanc and Elaine Mancina.

Pallbearers will be, Kenny Caliva, Mike Juneau, Stewart Juneau, Steve Juneau, David Mancina and Bryan Juneau. Honorary Pallbearers will be, Louis Juneau and Anthony “Teeny” Madere.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Vince Cataldo and Dustin Denicola, NP for their expert care as well as the staff of Amedisys Hospice Services.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Smoke Bend from 9am – 11am. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am. Burial will follow in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, 500 Hennessy Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oursofhdonaldsonville.com for the Juneau family.