Victor Bussie

A gentle, kind man passed away at 12:20 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Bluebonnet. He was president emeritus of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, a resident of Baton Rouge and native of Natchitoches Parish. Mr. Bussie was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Fran Bussie, who shared what Vic called "the great adventure;" children, Deanna Love, of Wimberley, Texas, and Carolyn Huff and husband David, of Round Rock, Texas; stepchildren whom he loved as his own, Tara Nolan Messenger and husband Terry, and Michael Q. Nolan, both of Baton Rouge; sister, Authree Gorrell, of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Craig Huff and wife Tracey, Michael Huff and wife Terrie, Karen Pump and husband Eric, Kim Love, Sheri Cutler and husband Gary, and Mark Love and wife Stephanie; stepgrandchildren, Kelly Taylor Messenger and wife Caroline, Tammy Andree Messenger and Christy Lynn Messenger Richardson and husband Justin; great-grandchildren, Connor, Lauren, Garrett, Cameron, Christian and Kendall Huff, Peyton and Joshua Pump, Meredith and Elizabeth Cutler and Julia and Miles Love; stepgreat-grandchildren, Kelly and Sam Messenger and Ireland and McKenna Richardson; special sister-in-law, Althea Mayer; brothers-in-law, Tony and Johnny Martinez; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special friends including Patricia Dunn and Gregory Dotson. Preceded in death by his parents, Christopher and Fannie LaCaze Bussie; sisters, Nita Wynn, Mildred DeLyser, Fannie Heard and Bertha Bussie; and brothers, Jack and Relius Bussie. Visiting at First United Methodist Church, 930 North Blvd., Friday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. until religious service at noon, conducted by the Rev. Susie Thomas, the Rev. Katy McKay Simpson and the Rev. Brad Franklin. Graveside service will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway. Pallbearers will be fire and police officers and Louis Reine. Vic was a member of First United Methodist Church and at the time of his death had been serving on the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board of Baton Rouge. He also was a member of the Shreveport Professional Firefighters Union 514. Nationally and regionally, he served on many boards and advisory councils, including the Southeastern Area Advisory Council and served two 4-year terms on the National Democratic Committee, and served as chairman of the Southwestern Educational Laboratory, the Board of Trustees and as president of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Board of Supervisors of LSU and the University of Louisiana System, the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans Branch, and by presidential appointment served on the Advisory Board of the U.S. Postal Service, National Civil Defense Advisory Council and the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. He held honorary doctorate degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University, LSU, Southern University and Nicholls State University and received the Alumni Recognition Award in 1991 from LSU School of Social Work, in addition to being awarded the Appreciation Award from the American Red Cross for service during Hurricane Audrey, The Israel Labor Award, Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service from the National Association of Mental Health and the Louisiana Legend Award by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Victor never accepted a salary or per diem for services performed for the U.S. government, Louisiana state government, any local government or civic membership. The Bussie family offers a special gratitude to Dr. James A. Froelich, Dr. John Gerard, Dr. Deborah Abernathy and the nurses at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Bluebonnet. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9603 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810-2051, The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, P.O. Box 2996 Baton Rouge, LA 70821, The Vic Bussie Scholarship Fund through the AFL-CIO, P.O. Box 3477, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 or the "Future is Now" fund at First United Methodist Church, 930 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St.