Lester Joseph Romero Sr.

NEW IBERIA - A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mr. Lester Joseph Romero, Sr., age 86, at 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Interment will follow at Nativity of Our Lady Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Tuesday with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Wednesday until service time.

A native and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Romero passed away peacefully on January 22, 2016 at Consolata Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family.

Lester proudly served his country in the United States Armed Forces from 1951–1953 during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Fort Brag in South Carolina where he acted as an automotive mechanic.

Mr. Romero later went on to own his own business, Romero’s Machine Shop, where he worked until retiring in 1991 at the age of sixty-two.

Lester was a kind and caring man. He was always willing to serve others. Lester and his wife, Mazel, acted as caretakers for his mother and father-in-law for many years. To Lester, family always came first.

Mr. Romero had a passion for fishing. His favorite catch was always Sac-a-lait, and he would go out as often as he could. When asked where his favorite place to fish was or where his secret fishing spot was, Mr. Romero would often joke by replying with “In the water.”

He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his three sons, Lester Romero, Jr. and wife Cindy of Saint Martinville, Karl Boutte and wife Tina of Kingston, AR, and Craig Boutte and wife Alice of New Iberia; five daughters, Darlene Robinson and husband Steve of New Iberia, Karen Chaney and husband Glen and Sharon Moss and husband Robert both of Montgomery, TX, Marilyn Neal and husband Wayne of St. Martinville, and Carolyn Simar and husband Joseph of New Iberia; one sister, Evelyn Kirby of Orange, TX; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife of forty-six years, Mazel Gardemal Romero; one son, Ronald “Bookie” Boutte; parents, Raoul and Annie Louviere Romero; four brothers, Philip Romero, John Clifford “Pee-Wee” Romero, Allen Romero, and Noah Romero; and five sisters, Anna Mae Dartez, Hilda “Dot” Boudreaux, twins Lena Robbins and Lynette Romero, and Olive Dartez. .

Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be members of the family.

To view the on-line obituary and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.