Carroll E. Guilbeau

1920 - 2016

One of the last WWII veterans in the area is gone. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Catholic Church in Carencro for Carroll E. Guilbeau, age 95, who died at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Carroll Emanuel was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1920, delivered by his father, Dr. Eric E. Guilbeau, Sr. His mother was the former Marie Azelia Guidry, whom everyone affectionately called Mumsy. Interment will be in St. Peter Cemetery in Carencro. The Rev. Mark Ledoux, pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Carencro, will be the celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Readers and giftbearers will be Dr. Julie Guilbeau Broussard, Katie Gervais Glynn and Melissa Guilbeau. A native and lifelong resident of Carencro, Carroll is survived by his brother, J. Albert Guilbeau and wife, Eva Dell, of Lafayette and sister, Cecile Fayard and husband, E.J., of Carencro; his four children, Carol Ann Guilbeau Gervais of Carencro, John J. Guilbeau and wife, Vickie, of Lafayette, Nannette Guilbeau Brasseaux and husband, Mayor Glenn, of Carencro, and Ken C. Guilbeau and wife, Brenda, of Lafayette; thirteen grandchildren, Michael Gervais, Steven Gervais, David Gervais, Phillip Gervais, Katie Gervais Glynn, Kevin Guilbeau, Brian Guilbeau, Kyle Guilbeau, Mark Brasseaux, Wayne Brasseaux, Andre Brasseaux, Dr. Julie G. Broussard and Melissa Guilbeau; seventeen great grandchildren; and one godchild, Celia Ann Guilbeau Soper. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elsie Chiasson Guilbeau; his father, Dr. Eric E. Guilbeau, Sr. and mother, the former Marie Azelia Guidry; one sister, Juanita Guilbeau; one brother, Dr. Eric Guilbeau, Jr. and wife, Sarah Womack Guilbeau; one son-in-law, Jude R. Gervais; and one great grandson, Wyatt Brasseaux. A loving, caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, as a lifelong parishioner of St. Peter Catholic Church, Mr. Guilbeau held memberships in St. John Knights of Columbus Council No. 1286 (Grand Knight) and Bishop DuBourg 4th degree Assembly No. 315. He served as Eucharistic minister, parish trustee for St. Peter Catholic Church and past treasurer of the Carencro Cemetery Association. At the time of his death, he was retired having owned and operated Carroll's Auto Supply in Carencro. He opened the store after returning from the World War II in 1946. Many who knew Carroll often referred to his place of business as the daily news center. Over a cup of coffee, the locals would gather and the conversations might last well into the work morning. His doors remained opened for 55 years serving the community he so dearly loved. He was a founding father of Acadian Hills Country Club and served as treasurer for the Carencro Recreation Baseball League. In addition, he served on the Advisory Board for Iberia Bank for a period of time. Mr. Guilbeau's tenure in public service began early in his life serving untiringly as Clerk for the Village and Town of Carencro (1948-1974); Fireman and Chief for the Village, Town and City of Carencro (1949-1989); and Alderman for the Village and Town of Carencro (1966-1974); and remained until death a lifetime volunteer fireman. He was a pioneer in fire protection, instrumental in the formation of the Lafayette Fire Protection Association (President), served on the Parish Civil Defense Committee (secretary/treasurer), served on the Lafayette Parish Communication District (secretary/treasurer), served on the Parish's 911 Commission, and served as advisor and member of the Lafayette Fire Protection Association. Under his leadership, he influenced the purchase of the first fire truck for Carencro, as well as the building of the community's first modern fire station and telephone alert system. A milestone in firefighting during his tenure as Fire Chief was the lowering of the fire rating for the community from unrated to a level 5 fire protection. Chief was a strong advocate of bringing the latest fire training technologies to his department. It was his passion to provide the best fire protection possible. When the bell sounded, his department responded to the best of its ability. He was very proud of the fact that his sons, grandchildren and sons-in-law chose to become volunteer firefighters. Chief often stated that "the volunteer fire service was the only organization that did not choose those who wanted to serve. The men and women volunteered because of their desire to protect the citizens of their community." He was a true fire-eater. For his work, Mr. Guilbeau was recognized during the span of his lifetime including the 1985 Bon Amis Sertoma International Club's "Service to Mankind Award", the Everett Davis Volunteer Service Award, the Woodman of the World Outstanding Citizen Award and the Carencro Jaycees Outstanding Citizen Award in 1979. Recently, the Carencro Fire Station was dedicated and named in his honor as the Carroll E. Guilbeau Fire Station. His name still hangs on the Fire Chief's door. Below it reads "Fire Chief Emeritus." Mr. Guilbeau was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II. He served as a volunteer in the Burma-China-India Theater as a Staff Sergeant, Signal Corp shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asian Pacific Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He held membership in American Legion Post 69, Carencro War Veterans and Woodmen of the World. Mr. Guilbeau is a 1938 graduate of Carencro High School and attended Louisiana State University and Southwestern Louisiana Institute as well as the General Electric Electronic School. He was a member of the board of directors for the Lafayette Electronic Association in 1961. The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until time of service. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 128 Demanade Blvd Ste 102, Lafayette, LA 70503, (337) 233-1131. Pallbearers will be Mark and Wayne Brasseaux, Kevin and Brian Guilbeau, and Michael and Steve Gervais. Honorary pallbearers will be Andre Brasseaux, David and Phillip Gervais, and Kyle Guilbeau, as well as Jimmy Brasseaux, Thomas Guilbeau, Tommy Angelle and Carol Sampy. Honorary Guard representing Citizens of Carencro, Law Enforcement, Fire Services, Parish 911 Commission, Church, Military, and United States Army Graveside Honors will be present. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the very special people in his life who attended to their father: Dr. Keith Colomb, Dr. Christopher Fontenot, Dr. Joseph Brierre, Dr. Brad Broussard, as well as Pearlie and St. Joseph Hospice. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.melanconfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Avenue, Carencro LA, 70520, (337) 896-3232.