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BORN
1948
DIED
2019
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Lee Cormier Obituary
Gulf Breeze, FL - Lee "Jay" Cormier, Jr., 70, of Gulf Breeze, FL peacefully passed away Monday, April 1, 2019.
Jay was born in Opelousas, LA on October 1, 1948 to Lee and Frances Cormier. He attended St. Landry Parish Schools where he excelled in baseball and football. His academic and athletic skills earned him a scholarship to the University of Louisiana Lafayette where he earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing then going on to earn a master's degree (MBA) at Nicholl's State University. His passion was coaching, and Jay became "Coach Cormier" for the next 40 years. His coaching career started in Louisiana at Fatima High in Lafayette to Holy Cross in New Orleans. From there, Jay was recruited back to Opelousas as head football coach at Belmont Academy, then Defensive Coordinator at Carenco High and eventually the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Opelousas High School. After 20 years in Louisiana, Jay and his family moved to the Florida panhandle where he coached at Milton High as well as Woodham and Washington High School in Pensacola. He continued coaching football in addition to taking the helm of Track and Field programs at Woodham then Washington High School. At Woodham he won nine consecutive championships and captured the Florida State Track and Field Championship in 2000. That earned him the honor of being named Florida's Track and Field Coach of the year. The results at Washington were just as impressive. He felt his greatest achievement was having the privilege to coach every athlete throughout his career. He was proud of all of them from High School, to College, The NFL, to a decorated Olympian and World Champion. He was thankful for the chance to be part of their lives. Every coaching staff was special to him. His love for his church, family, friends, New Orleans Saints, LSU, Louisiana Lafayette, University of South Carolina, running, biking, swimming, golf, and music is what made him the extraordinary person he was to so many.
Jay is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Frances Cormier; two brothers, Thomas "Skip" Cormier and Coleman Cormier.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane Alice Cormier; daughter, Leslee Frances Cormier; son, Jay Kyle Cormier; sister, Genie Cormier Belote (Al); granddaughters, Avery and Reagan Flowers; nephews, Coleman Cormier (Amanda), Jeff Singley (Necole) and Chris Singley (Shannon); nieces, Evan, Rachael, Michelle and Natalie; sister-in-law, Jean Knight (Andy); brothers-in-law, George Pertuit (Adana) and Jack Pertuit (Sonya); four great-nieces and one great-nephew; as well as so many friends Jay and his wife will forever be grateful for.
Jay fought a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease for 12 years. He ran a great race! The family would like to thank everyone who cared for and loved him.
Visitation will be held 10:30am until a Funeral Mass to begin 11:00am Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at St. Ann Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze, FL with Msgr. Luke Hunt celebrant. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Burial will be in New Orleans where Jay met and married his wife.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lee Cormier
Sponsored by Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.
jane cormier
June 6, 2019
A marriage of 46 years, 2 months, and 13 days..... It was quite an adventure !!! Thank you ... I love you and miss you... Jane Alice Pertuit Cormier
jane cormier
June 4, 2019
To my husband..... I miss you every minute of every day... Thank you for being my husband, protector, provider, father to our children, and grandfather to our granddaughters. You made a difference in so many lives. Always tapping into the potential of each and every athlete you coached. You had a way of letting them see something in themselves they hadn't seen before. You did that for me. I figured out who I was when I met you. You did the same for our children and grandchildren. Rest easy now in the peace, love, and friendship of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I look forward to the day when we can hold each other in our arms again. Your wife forever... Jane
Tony Ardoin
May 3, 2019
So sorry to hear of this. Jay was a great man who cared about students and I was one he helped so much and thanked him for weight loss at an early age. He motivated me to lose 80 lbs, which changed my life forever. He would take time to talk to me every day about what I'd eat, and all I had to do was lose 10lbs every 6 week period to get an A in PE! What a great loss to young people as well as his family. God bless
April 24, 2019
Im so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences go out with your family. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn," strengthen you during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1, 2. And May the beautiful hope of everlasting life give you comfort. -1 John 17:30
Baron Babineaux
April 10, 2019
We met at UL Lafayette (USL) in 1966. Jay was friendly and a good football player. He became our deep snapper on punt and extra point teams. He could play any position on the offensive line. He loved football and being a Ragin Cajun. We were in the same major and did class studies together on occasion. I did not have an ongoing relation with him, but often reminisced and had go memories of our times in Lafayette, La.. I'm proud to have known him and be a friend of his. Jay was a great man! Thank God he lived and I knew him. Baron Babineaux
April 10, 2019
My sincere condolences to the family,may you find comfort in the God of all comfort during this difficult time
MT
April 10, 2019
Jane: I am so very sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort be with you in your time of need.
Charlie Boudreaux
April 9, 2019
To: Jay's family, Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. Jay and I were friends though our high school years.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers
April 8, 2019
So sorry to hear this! What a "Really Great Guy"!
He had a true passion for coaching. He coached my boys at Washington during the early 2000's. He had a magic for "motivating" the best of a player.
May God bless his soul, and comfort the family!
Michael Smith, Sr.
Savannah, Ga.
The Turner's
April 8, 2019
We are deeply saddened by the news of your loss. Our most sincere condolences. May God be with the family during this difficult time.
The Sarra family
April 7, 2019
In this sorrowful time, we would like to extend to you our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Jay Cormier. May our Lord comfort you and your loved ones. Thank you for your significant contributions to northwest Florida and the southeast.. Godspeed.
Dr. Johnny Hollier
April 7, 2019
I am sorry to hear of Jay's passing. He leaves a great legacy of service to so many students, family members and friends.
Jean Knight
April 6, 2019
An angel descended to the bedside of Jay and said "The time of your departure has come. You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race. You have kept the faith". Jay fought a courageous battle against a horrible disease. But he finished strong. He can now walk, run, bike, throw a football and swing a bat. He is in heaven. It took him some time to realize his family would be ok. That was important to him. He was a huge figure in all of their lives and so many lives he touched. Jay loved life and lived it to the fullest. There is something to be said for that. He had the absolute best caregiver anyone could ask for. Jane put her life on hold for so long, and never left his side. That's true love. He will be missed by all who crossed paths with him. He was an easy guy to like and love. I would like to believe somehow he and John are biking together down a beautiful road along a beach. Jean & Andy
Larry
April 5, 2019
A wonderful man, with a passion for his athletes! God Bless his family.......Rest easy Coach.......
Alfred Leatherwood Jr
April 5, 2019
To a great coach! You will truly be misssed. May God bless you!
Paul Lanclos
April 4, 2019
In loving memory of a wonderful person. So long coach. You will be long remembered.
Bo Kleinpeter
April 4, 2019
May you Rest In Peace Jay.I was a college teammate of Jay.1967-68-69.
Delores Mc Iver
April 4, 2019
Jane and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet husband, father, brother and friend to all of those he touched in his life. May God comfort you and give you strength through your time of grief. Love, DeDe Mc Iver
Sharon and Rachel Ewing
April 4, 2019
I met Coach Cormier when he coached my daughter at Gulf Breeze High School. He did amazing work with the "jumpers". As a parent/assistant I learned so much from him. The kids had so much respect for him. He will be missed...
CHARLES Emling
April 3, 2019
Jane, Kyle and Leslee, Penny and I are so very sorry to see that this dreaded day has finally come. I actually was thinking of Jay on Sunday morning at Mass, standing right where Jane and Jay used to sit in the back. I will not be able to attend the service as I will be out of town, so please accept my apologies and deepest regrets for your loss.
Chuck Emling
ERNEST RUSSO
April 3, 2019
Jay You are a great man and loved by all! It's always too soon to say good bye. You are a fighter and led a strong fight as expected. May your family go on strong in your absence. You will be dearly missed! God bless.
Ron Singley
April 2, 2019
Jay you were a great Coach. You helped many young men develop their athletic skills. I enjoyed our time together and will miss you. Prayers to you and your family.
Paul Bryan
April 2, 2019
My friend and mentor.
Scooter Hiller
April 2, 2019
Jay was such a nice guy in High School and a Big Guy and he hit more Homeruns and Pitched the Fastest Balls
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