Emile Babin Jr.

BABIN EMILE JOACHIM BABIN, JR. October 31, 1943April 16, 2005 a former Kenner bank president and thoroughbred horse owner, died on Saturday, April 16th at his home in Saratoga Springs, New York, following a courageous three-year battle with lung cancer. He was age 61. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at Saint Clement of Rome Catholic Church, Metairie, LA with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. A separate Memorial Service in Saratoga Springs, NY was held on Friday, April 22, 2005. Mr. Babin, who was known as "E.J.,' was the son of Lena Rando Babin and the late Emile Joachim Babin Sr. of Kenner, LA. Born in Corpus Christi, TX , Mr. Babin was raised in New Orleans, LA and graduated from St. Stanislaus College in Bay St. Louis, MS. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. His career in banking included positions as a bank finance officer and assistant vice president for First Homestead and Savings, and president of Delta Savings and Loan in Kenner, LA. Mr. Babin was a longtime resident of Covington, LA. He was a parishoner of St. Peter's Catholic Church and a member of St. Paul's Athletic Association. While a Louisiana businessman, the Rotary Club of St. Bernard honored Mr. Babin with the ""Rotarian of the Year'' award. During the 1990's, Mr. Babin founded Babin & Associates, LLC, a real estate investment company with diverse property interests in the Northeast, which he managed with his son, Trey. Since 1996, Mr. Babin was married to Karen Swaim Babin, formerly of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who survives him. While living in the Boston, MA, area for 8 years, Mr. Babin was a member of the ""76 Club'' and was again active in Rotary International, adding Cajun humor, and making many new friends, eventually serving as President of the Rotary Club of Belmont, MA. Mr. Babin was a loving father and grandfather (affectionately known as "Gramps"), devoted husband and trusted friend to many. Family came first, but his other passions included horse racing, golf and conservative politics. Throughout his life, he enjoyed training and owning thoroughbred horses and was a member of The Horse Owners' Associations in Louisiana, New York and Illinois. Survivors, in addition to his mother and wife, include a sister, Patricia Seward of Kenner, LA; four children: Stacey Messina (husband, George) of Kenner, LA; Suzanne Smith (husband, Mark) of Nashville, TN; Emile J. "Trey' Babin III (wife, Lisa) of New Orleans, LA; and Lesley Halphen (husband, Michael) of Baton Rouge, LA; 10 grandchildren: Andrew Messina, Ainsley Messina, Trace Messina, Claire Smith, Elise Smith, Reid Smith, Virginia Babin, Benjamin Babin, Caitlin Halphen and Catherine Halphen; nephews: James Seward (wife, Jill, and children: Jacob, Jamie and Jaci ) and Jeffrey, all of Kenner, LA; the mother of his children, Cassie Rhodes Babin of Bay St. Louis, MS; and numerous other friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: St. Stanislaus College, 304 South Beach Blvd. , Bay St. Louis, MS 39520. Please note: ""E.J. Babin Memorial Scholarship Fund.''