Rev. John DeLeeuw

1918 - 2015

Rev. John deLeeuw

LAFAYETTE - Reverend John de Leeuw, 97, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Lafayette General Medical Center.

News of his death has been greeted with sadness by people throughout the diocese. His commitment to Catholic education and gentle devotion to the people entrusted to his care will always be remember.

Reverend Albert Gayla Nunez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Carencro on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

Father John was born January 30, 1918 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. He was ordained a priest in Nijmegen, Netherlands on June 29, 1944. After his ordination, he made doctored studies in French Literature and Romance linguistics at the University of Nijmegen. He spent the summers in France, the first year making a summer course at the Alliance Française and the other five years serving at the Church of St. Germain-en-Laye.

After finishing his university studies in Nijmegen, he spent two years teaching at the St. Nicholaaslyceum in Amsterdam.

In November 1953 he joined the Diocese of Lafayette, serving in St. Martinville and Lafayette (St. Genevieve, Charity Hospital and St. Leo the Great) He spent nineteen years at the parish of St. Leo the Great, bringing St. Leo School to full capacity, building a rectory and hall and renovating the interior of the Church from top to bottom.

Father John retired in 1986 to a comfortable house in Lafayette on Raintree Trail, helping out in parishes. His hobbies were traveling all over the world, French music and literature.

The last years were very painful for Father John being falsely accused and suffering of kidney failure.

Survivors include six nieces and nephews of Australia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willem de Leeuw and the former Maria Smulders, both natives of the Netherlands; and five siblings.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2015 at Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. to be prayed by Rev. Albert Gayle Nunez. Visitation will resume at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church (102 N. Church St. Carencro, LA 70520) on Monday, July 13, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass. Interment will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.melanconfuneralhome.net.

Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337) 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.