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Lionel Ferbos
1911 - 2014
Lionel Ferbos
1911 - 2014
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1911
DIED
2014
Lionel Ferbos Obituary
Family friend Regina Dillings said the trumpeter died surrounded by friends and family.
Ferbos performed all over New Orleans and its suburbs for decades. His ability to read music made him an in-demand musician for gigs that took him to parks, schools, churches, dance halls and even prisons. He also performed at his 102nd birthday party and at every New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival until this past year.
Ferbos was believed to be the oldest working jazz musician, performing regularly until last year. His death Saturday came just days after he turned 103 on July 17.
Ferbos recently became too weak to hold up his trumpet, according to his granddaughter, Lori Schexnayder. She said family members would occasionally hold the trumpet to his mouth so that he could blow into it.
"He missed i t so much, but his arms just weren't strong enough to hold it up," she said.
Early in his career, Ferbos performed with New Orleans society jazz bands at well-known venues around town such as the Pythian Roof Garden, San Jacinto Hall and the Pelican Club. The Pelican was among a string of clubs along Rampart Street - the main strip that in the 1920s and '30s was the epicenter of the city's bustling black entertainment district.
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STACEY PLAISANCE, Associated Press
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
52 Entries
June 10, 2015
John 11:33 says: "When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping and groaning, he groaned within himself and became troubled." Jesus expressed tears when his friend Lazarus died, he knows how it feels to lose a dead loved one and he understands what you and your family are experiencing. May this bring you and your family comfort in this time of need. cjp (fla.)
Deanna Patricia Hope Bryant-Rogers
August 3, 2014
Family All!
Robin and I have come to Mecca in New Orleans to witness and commune with our spiritual history and culture.For we were born in southern soil and hope to be buried near parents too. We loved you dad, your mom, your brother since I was at Dillard at age 17. We will pray for the peace that your great father has found from our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ has granted to him in .He has made history and was a humble and loving player of music for 103 years. We will pray always for the grace and gifts of love to be in our spirits as long as we are blessed to live.
Deanna Patricia Hope Bryant-Rogers
August 3, 2014
Family All!
Robin and I have come to Mecca in New Orleans to witness and commune with our spiritual history and culture.For we were born in southern soil and hope to be buried near parents too. We loved your
dad, your mom, your brother since I was at Dillard at age 17. We will pray for the peace that your great father has found from our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ has granted to him in .He has made history and was a humble and loving player of music for 103 years. We will pray always for the grace and gifts of love to be in our spirits as long as we are blessed to live.
How you can show support
Robin Guillmette
August 2, 2014
Ms. Sylvia and family, we are thinking and praying for all of you during this difficult time. I hope you can find comfort in the wonderful memories you shared. Robin Guillmette and family
Edgar Edwards
August 1, 2014
God bless and keep you
A CHERISHED MOMENT
Michael J. "Mr. Jazz" Gourrier
August 1, 2014
Condolences and prayers for all from a longtime Friend of the Family. R.I.P.
Wanda canty-Lewis
August 1, 2014
My Deepest Sympathy to the Family. You will be missed, but they all will see you again.
Barbara Jackson-Oates
July 31, 2014
I'd the pleasure of taking care of both Mr and Mrs Ferbos from St Charles General to Ochsner Thank you for the kindness that was displayed by the whole family,God bless you'll
Eunice Hutchison
July 31, 2014
Mia, I was so sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you have of him. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Yvette Marsalis
July 30, 2014
Long life is a gift from God and this is living proof that Lionel was truly a gift to his family and the entire world.
No stone was left unturned in his life. He did it all and I bless you Sylvia for being such a devoted daughter. Yours in Christ,
July 30, 2014
Music is well said to be the speech of angels. Mr. Ferbos was a musical angel with his trumpet. He is now playing for the angels. Our sympathies to Sylvia and the family, love, the spears
July 30, 2014
Music is well said to be the speech of angels. Mr. Ferbos was an angel through his horn. Rest in peace Lionel and his horn. Our sympathies to Sylvia and the Ferbos family. love, the spears
Amanda
July 29, 2014
Oh my what a man! I didn't know him personally but it seems he was well loved and very talented. He lived a long life but yet it still was too short. He will be missed but not forgotten -Malachi 3:16
TonetteChapman(Ochsner Internal Medicine)
July 29, 2014
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
LESTER POLLY LASSAI
July 29, 2014
TO FAMILY OF THE LATE MR. LIONEL C. FERBOS I SEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY PRAYERS
Shelley Jeanfreau
July 29, 2014
Mia and Family, I am saddened for you on the loss of your PaPa but I continue to cherish your loving stories about him and the rich legacy he has shared throughout time. His spirit and love of music provide us with a guide on how to grow older. My prayers are with you and your family.
Randall & Eva Schexnayder
July 29, 2014
To cousins Sylvia, Lori and family:
What a Blessing that God allowed Mr. Lionel to share a long and distinguished life here with us. Though I only met him for the first time last year, I told him I felt the spirit of my own father as he "patiently" sat while we compared family notes. Heaven's gain is New Orleans' lost - he was a true "Gentleman of Jazz." You are in our prayers. God Bless.
Sylvia Ann Blue
July 29, 2014
My Condolences To Mr Ferbos Family. A Blessing To Have So Many Memories For So Many Lovely Years. God Bless Y'all
July 29, 2014
A noble exponent of his musical craft; a gentleman of eceptional qualities recognised by all who met and knew him, and specially loved by his many admirers in England, and worldwide.
Rest easy, dear friend.
Brian Wood
NEWMAN & PATRICIA JOHNSON
July 28, 2014
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
July 28, 2014
God Bless You Mr. Lionel C. Ferbos, Forever and Ever, Amen.
LibbieLu
August Theodore & Family
July 27, 2014
We will keep you in our prayers Sylvia Schexnayder and family; also Crystal Ferbos and Micky
What an honor it was to know such a remarkable individual for over 30 years. I am his fan, his family, and forever friend. I will miss him so much.
Chantell Nabonne
July 26, 2014
April 17, 2009 (French Quarter Fest)
Johan De Grande
July 26, 2014
Hi,
Every year, we were looking forward to see and to hear you on the French Quarter Festival. We will miss you very hard. God bless you, Lionel.
Gaylord & Denise Tenette
July 26, 2014
Heaven is surely smiling now!!!
My his soul rest in total peace with our Lord.
Sincere condolences from the family of Clarence Tenette.
Charlene Bucksell
July 25, 2014
So sorry to hear of your lost.
lionel was a close friend of the family .My grandmother christened Lionel and she spoke highly of the family. Rest now for a job well done
Mona Lisa Anderson
July 25, 2014
May God comfort the Ferbos family as they mourn the loss of this great musician. He was truly a legend and a remarkable man.
July 24, 2014
Please accept my deepest condolences.
July 24, 2014
CAROL B. HAYNES
I'M SO HONORED TO HAVE KNOWN THIS MAN. I'LLALWAYS REMEMBER HIM.TO HAVE DIED DOING THE THING HE LOVED,
HOW GREAT IS THAT?
LOVE TO SYLVIA, LORI, AND MIA & FAMILY
Zhaire
July 24, 2014
I am so sorry for your lost may the god of comfort be with you
John 11:24
Celeste Robinson
July 24, 2014
Mom(Clea)always said,"you were always a nice man." Thanks!uncle for sharing the melodies in your life and music.Tell aunt "Dah" and lil Lionel I miss them. Love Always, Celeste
July 24, 2014
Dearest Ferbos Family All!
We will indeed miss our beloved icon....so sweet a life under God blessing for 103 years!
We will be coming for this historic moment in time to share the blessing of rare remembrances with the blood and love of outstanding heritage and culture.
I was a lass of 17 when I met the Ferbos family and tasted the communion of Catholic Creole interaction. We lived around the corner on Dorgenois Street and son Lionel, Sylvia,and I attended Dillard University in the late 50ties.
I lived to hear this remarkable kind and yes Holy man a rare spirit play the music that transcends modern times and made a connection to our past. Mr Ferbos lived to witness the election of our President Barack Obama's reign in 2014. Go with God for you are in his care now. Rest well our LOVE. Be happy with the only woman you married and your beloved son Lionel Jr. May God bless Krystal and MIKKI Blackwell and all grand children...Love to Daughter Sylvia, Lori,Mia, and Ron.
Deanna Patricia Hope Bryant-Rogers
Robin Renata Rogers
Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Community
July 24, 2014
Lionel,thanks for your wonderful music and conversation at Palm Court in 2000, after I played Bunk's trumpet. Condolencies to family.Stan Sutherland,Melbourne Australia.
Mia Schenxayder-Davis, FNP-BC
July 23, 2014
Grandpa sang this tiny verse before he closed eyes forever in the arms of his beloved daughter Sylvia Ferbos,and his granddaughters Lori,Mia,Leah,and Paris."When your smiling keep, keep on smiling and the whole world smiles with you." Grandpa will forever live in our hearts.
We will always love you Papa.
Aleta Rivarde-Schexnayder
July 23, 2014
Sylvia, Lori, Ron & Mia, our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of grief. May God's peace and blessings comfort you all. Gerard, Aleta, Marlene & family.
July 23, 2014
Uncle Lionel you will be missed.
Your Great Niece
Terry Angelety-King
Rosalind Hubbard
July 22, 2014
To Crystal, Mickey and family.
He loved you all so much. He is now with Lionel Jr. and Auntie and I am sure there is happiness in their meeting. Uncle's joy of music will be missed by all. He was special.
July 22, 2014
Psalms 90:10 says: “The span of our life is 70 years, Or 80 if one is especially strong”. May your fond memories comfort you and prayers strengthen you.
Ellie
July 21, 2014
My sincerest condolences to the family of Lionel Ferbos. You were able to enjoy him for a long time. What a blessing.i can relate. My maternal grandfather died at 103, 3 months after his 103rd birthday. What a blessing he was to me. In reading Mr. Ferbos' obituary, you can be very proud of him and his accomplishments. He lived doing what he loved most almost to the end. Bless his heart. May he rest in peace.
HY Y
July 21, 2014
I'm sorry for your loss. Psalm 90:10 said: The span of our life is 70 years, or 80 if one is especially strong. But they are filled with trouble and sorrow; They quickly pass by, and away we fly.
DS
July 21, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Pat
July 21, 2014
My prayers go to the family of a man who lived a long and productive life Ps 90:10 and will be missed
Faith Tobin
July 20, 2014
Dear Ferbos Family I heard about the loss 7-20 of the passing of Lionel Ferbos and he'll surely be missed.I heard him playing at a young age on t.v.wow we.luv,Faith
michelle plakas-kaiser
July 20, 2014
rip
Jeanique Desdunes
July 20, 2014
Very,sorry for your loss I"ll miss paw paw too.He lived a beautiful life and a lengthly one.God bless very one that knew him.I"ll keep you all in my prayers.
G J.
July 20, 2014
To the entire family. Please accept my sympathy. What an amazing, excellent, wonderful, talented gentleman!!! May God give you all peace in this time of sorrow. Rom 15:33.
G Alexander
July 19, 2014
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find some comfort in knowing that you"re in the thoughts and prayers of many. Also, may the peace of God that excels all thought bring you comfort during this most difficult time. Phillipans 4:6,7
July 19, 2014
God is the creator of life. The One who gave life to all living creatures is certainly capable of restoring life to someone who has died. Acts 17: 24,25. The Owens family
R
July 19, 2014
My condolences to all in the family,
Scott Chamberland
July 19, 2014
Rest in Peace
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