Thomas George Hecker Sr.

Thomas “Tom” “DD” George Hecker, Sr., at the age of 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at his home and went to rest eternally with the Lord. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Florita Wingerter Hecker, his daughter Patricia Fisher (Jerry), and son Thomas Hecker, Jr. (Lisa), as well as two sisters, Lorraine Mipro and Isabelle Michaels. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Anna Hecker, three sisters, Anna Mills, Matilda Higgins and Mayrita Porter, and a brother, Herbert Hecker. He was the loving “Paw Paw” to grandchildren Daryl (Charlene), Patrick Sr., Melissa (Kevin), Patrice (Ron), Michelle and Dawn (Jeff), and great grandchildren Patrick Jr., Jeffrey, Mariel, Jared, Jacob, Madelyn, Lillian, Caroline, John Thomas, Meredith, Chase, Jeffrey III and Juston. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Born in New Orleans, he grew up in the Irish Channel and attended St. Alphonses and Peters High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a member of the amphibian forces in Okinawa, receiving the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal from Gov. Jindal. He was a founding member of St. Mathew the Apostle Church in River Ridge and spent countless hours at his beloved church preparing the church for mass, special parish events or school functions. For his service to the church, he received The Order of St. Louis IX Medallion, the St. Matthew Service Award and the Archdiocese Senior Citizens Award. He also received a special Apostolic Blessing granted to him by Pope Benedict XVI for service to the Catholic Church. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, St. Vincent DePaul Society, The Radio Rosary Guild and also served as an usher and offerings counter. He received Steamship Company and retired from the Railway Express. He was an avid fisherman and sports fan, especially of the Saints, LSU and the Braves. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to his angels here on Earth, Mary Triggs, Bobby Carriere, Evelyn Miller and Tanya Scott for their devotion, love and care over the past two years. A special thanks to Cheryl Lee, R.N. and Marylynn Keller, R.N. of Nurses Registry and Notre Dame Hospice, especially Gina DiLeo, R.N., for their care and compassion shown to him and his family. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 11, 2013 at 12 p.m. at St. Matthew the Apostle Church, 10021 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. Father Joseph Tran, Msgr. Charles Duke and Deacon Wayne Lobell will officiate. Internment will follow at Garden of Memories, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to St. Vincent DePaul, c/o St. Matthew the Apostle Church, 10021 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge, 70123, Attention Richard Terrebonne. Leitz Eagan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The online guest registry is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.