Felipe Antonio Bersoza

1939 - 2025

Felipe Antonio Bersoza was born on October 3, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He lived on St. Philip Street and attended school in the French Quarter. He was an altar boy for 5 years at St. Louis Cathedral, and boxed at St. Mary's gym in the French Quarter. At Colton Junior High, he met his lifelong love and future wife of 66 years, Jacklyn Barbara Blanco. They married at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in New Orleans on February 14, 1959. Felipe obtained his Louisiana State Journeymen License for Plumbing and Pipefitting and was an active member of the Plumbers' and Steamfitters' Local Union #60 until his death. On October 2, 2022, he received his 50-year membership Certificate from the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. He worked in numerous refineries, chemical plants, the nuclear power plant, as well as large-scale construction sites in New Orleans, LA, including the Superdome, The Hyatt Regency, and other Central Business District buildings. Felipe was always willing to lend a hand if anyone had a plumbing problem. One of his favorite hobbies was making his own crab nets and going to the seawall of Lake Pontchartrain to catch crabs on warm, summer nights. He would always take his family for rides around the Lakefront to buy Manuel's Hot Tamales or to eat ice cream at Melba's on Franklin Ave. Dad always loved weekend picnics in City Park or Audubon Park. He loved to play his bongos after Sunday dinner to the accompaniment of music on the stereo. Dad enjoyed driving his children to Canal Street in New Orleans to see Mr. Bingle during the Christmas season and to get beignets in the French Quarter. He was a lifelong resident of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. Felipe and "Jackie" (Jacklyn) relocated to Collierville, TN, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He is preceded in death by his father, Jose' Navarete Bersoza, and his mother, Cecilia Wickes Bersoza; his father-in-law, Marcus Joseph Blanco and mother-in-law, Blanche Louise Blanco; his older brothers, Claudio Barsoza (Nell) and Antonio Bersoza (Elaine, deceased); his brothers-in-law, Henry J. Blanco (Patricia, deceased) and Ronald J. Pellegrini (Elaine). He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Jacklyn Blanco Bersoza; his four children: Cheryl B. Burkett (James "Tony"), Lisa B. Vance (Michael "Mike"), Gina B. Crovetto (Doug), and Felipe Bersoza Jr. (Rachel); his grandchildren: Rachael Vance Sellhorn (Jeremy), Victoria Lynn Vance (Rafael), Michael Christoper Vance, Jr., Maria Burkett Chin (Kai), Sarah Burkett Correa (Francisco), Teresa Clare Burkett, Anthony Joseph Burkett (Jamie), Amy Elizabeth Crovetto, Marcus John Bersoza, and Matthew Joseph Bersoza; his great-grandchildren: Audrey and Benjamin Reid, Amelia and Laura Chin, Cecilia and Violet Burkett; as well as numerous nieces: Linda Markey, Lori Cooper, Pamela Robin, Mary Jo Cloud, Judy Lackey and Joan Bersoza (deceased). Felipe had numerous friends and acquaintances from the French Quarter, Local Union #60, and many others throughout his life. Felipe has always said, "I never met anyone I didn't like." The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, to please donate to your favorite charity in his name. The family will receive friends at the Catholic Church of the Incarnation (360 Bray Station Rd, Collierville, TN 38017) on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. A Memorial Funeral Mass will follow immediately after. A reception will be held in the Catholic Church of the Incarnation fellowship hall following the Memorial Funeral Mass from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm.