Andre' Patrick 'Frenchie' "Pat" LaStrapes III

1944 - 2022

Andre' Patrick LaStrapes, III, aka "Pat" "Frenchie", slipped from this life in an instant, unexpectedly of cardiac arrest after a good time visiting with good friends in Manorville on a beautiful afternoon while enjoying some yard sales with his wife.

He was born July 13, 1944, in Tyler, Texas, the son of Mary Margaret Stevenson Hulsey and Andre' P. LaStrapes, Jr., who both predeceased him. He resided in Kilgore, Texas until he joined the military.

His service in the Navy enabled him to travel / see the world. Besides two tours in Vietnam, serving on the USS Midway, he was in the Mediterranean, the Pacific, the Philippines, Cuba during the missile crisis, Charleston, S.C., Chicago for surgical tech training, San Diego and San Francisco, along with serving in the National Guard.

He retired from Allegheny Ludlum, Brackenridge, in 1997 with over 30 years of employment, working mainly as an overhead crane operator.

He was a Catholic often attending the Monastery. He and his wife particularly enjoyed dining at various local churches for their various food events.

After meeting in 1985 in North Buffalo at the Kit-Han- Ne Rock & Gem Club, Andre' married Paula, his other half and perfect match, love of his life, on the Isle of Palms, S.C. They were inseparable, adored and devoted to each other and were happiest just being in each other's company; a highlight was when they swapped places by dressing up as each other on Halloween.

Andre' was always the Southern Gentleman with a quick wit who was described by his EP doctor as "unfailingly pleasant". A friend described him as quite the BS'er but the friend usually believed most of it. He was always reading to impart knowledge and tell anyone, friend or stranger who stood still about coin collecting or gold-panning to give them a way to make extra money. In his bib overalls and vest, he carried items to be prepared for anything including scissors, channel locks, gold flakes and coins for show and tell.

A man of many interests and talents, along with gems and minerals, he enjoyed gold panning and the GPAA (Gold Prospectors Association of America), coins, metal detecting and the Butler County Treasure Hunters (BCTH); collecting artwork and 1st edition books, finding treasurers at yard sales, watching golf, fishing and treasure shows. Andre' loved attending quilt shows, caviar, BBQ, sushi and potato chips. He was a voracious reader of a wide variety of books along with a few daily newspapers, cover to cover.

Left behind to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Paula Caruso LaStrapes and sister-in-law Marsha Caruso, and numerous Steim and Caruso relatives. He is also survived by his brothers Thomas LaStrapes, Franklin Hulsey, Jr., Roger Hulsey, Michael Hulsey, and sisters Betsy Launa Dalton and Robbin Hopkins, all of Texas, son Andre' P. LaStrapes, IV and daughter, Kelly Irvine.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving parents-in-law, Paul and Betty Caruso.

The family will welcome friends from 2-8 p.m., Friday, June 10, 2022, at Mantini Funeral Home, Inc., 701 Sixth Avenue, Ford City, PA. Additional visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 9:00-9:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Christ Prince of Peace Parish, 718 Fourth Avenue, Ford City. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ford City.

Anyone wishing to donate to Andre's memory, the family respectfully suggests contributions to the Library of their choice or the First Tee of Pittsburgh, 5370 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15217. First Tee is a non profit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing healthy choices through the game of golf and uses golf instruction to teach life skills based on core values such as respect, honesty and perseverance.

Although sudden, with good friends and good fun on a good day was a most glorious way to pass. We should all be as blessed.