Francis P. Clesi Jr.

1927 - 2021

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Francis P. "Buddy" Clesi, Jr. Buddy departed this life when he peacefully entered eternal rest on Labor Day, September 6, 2021 at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington, La. at 93 years young. Buddy was born on November 12, 1927 to Francis P. Clesi and Lucille Fuselier Clesi. He graduated from Holy Cross High School and attended Loyola University. He was a lifelong resident of the New Orleans community and was an active member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Kenner where he spent his senior years enjoying his beautiful home in Chateau Estates Subdivision. Buddy was a dedicated American who loved his country dearly. He proudly enlisted in the Army on October 2, 1946 and served in WWII for one year, three months and 17 days with the 11th Airborne as a Paratrooper. He was shipped to Jinmachi Japan where he took back the Island and led his squad to hold it until the War was over. He was awarded the Presidential Citation Ribbon - one of the highest recognitions from WWII and honorably discharged on January 27, 1948. Buddy loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman, hunter, golfer and fisherman. For a time he raised and trained golden retrievers for tournament competition. He was one of the first to be seen on black and white television as a weatherman, where he shared his unique ability to understand and track weather conditions which aided him in his next career venture as an air traffic controller for many years at Taca Airlines. He then partnered with his father in the residential development business and later operated his own firm in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany and St. James Parish as a proud member of the Homebuilders Association. As an accomplished developer, he loved to design and build custom homes and communities as well as commercial property and Waterfront Condominiums. He built his retirement estate in Franklinton and developed Forest Hills Estates, a luxury subdivision surrounding his lake house, home. The Franklinton home was his love and hobby for over 30 years. His life was defined by hard work, faith, perseverance, patience and sacrifice, which guided his many amazing accomplishments. He was fair, honest, and ethical in his personal and business relationships and he was well-respected and loved. Buddy was a talented music lover, pianist and song writer. His final composition masterpiece was "You Are the Light, You Are the Way" which he felt God had blessed him with and placed on his heart to share with the world and especially his family to continue to guide them into a relationship with Jesus Christ and will be played at his funeral. He wrote musicals with his late wife Barbara and many other popular songs that his family will treasure for generations to come. Buddy was dedicated to his family and we acknowledge with great respect and affection that he was our teacher, confidant, advisor and friend. He was married to his beloved wife Barbara Marks Clesi for over 50 years. His legacy includes daughter; Karen Arthur and her husband Richard. His daughter; Jeannine M. Clesi. His grandson; James Joseph Clesi and wife Jaime. His great grandchildren; Adalyn Clesi and Kimberly Navarre. His grandson; Jared Matthew Clesi and his wife Katie and His great grandchildren; Jacob Clesi and Ava Clesi. His granddaughter; Nina Clesi Graham and her husband Tommy. His great grandchildren; Anaiah Graham and Kaila Graham. His daughter; Carol Ann Clesi Hawley and her husband Jim. His granddaughter; Susan Prior and her husband Brad, His great grandchildren; Alex Prior and Christopher Prior. His granddaughter; Katherine Cyr and her husband, Howard. His son; Nicholas "Nick" Clesi, and his wife Cathy, His grandchildren; Barbara Clesi Clark and her husband Jedidiah, His great grandchildren; Elijah, Indy, Aurora Clark and David Mikotowicz, His grandchildren; Nicole Clesi and Jennifer Clesi. He is survived by his only sibling; Jeannine F. Clesi of New Orleans. His funeral service will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, in New Orleans, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, September 17, 2021 with Father Harry of St. Philip Neri presiding over the funeral mass at 1:00pm in the chapel at Lake Lawn Metairie. The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful care given by Dr. Mirza Baig, Dr. Julie Mermilliod, and Dr. Zoe Larned for their personal interest and wonderful care given to him. In these critical times with so many in need, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite organization or charity. This would be an honorable reflection of his generosity throughout his life as he was an avid contributor to many charities and organizations.