Dr. Harold G. "Sonny" Trahan Jr.

Harold George "Sonny" Trahan, Jr. M.D., 59, a 31-year resident of Abbeville and a native of Maurice, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 18, 2007, following an extended illness. He was surrounded by his adoring and heartbroken family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold George Trahan, Sr., M.D. and Bertha Broussard Trahan. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Marcelle, and his 3 sons, Christopher George Trahan, M.D. and his wife Britlyn of Omaha, NE; Gregory George Trahan and his wife Rebecca of Chicago, IL; and Stephen George Trahan and his wife Sara, of Baton Rouge, LA. He is also survived by his true joys, his grandchildren Christopher George "Beau" Trahan II, Jack Oneil Trahan, and Evelyn Elizabeth "Evie" Trahan.

Survivors also include his sisters, Donna and husband Richard J. Putnam, Jr. of Abbeville; Catherine Trahan Miller of Abbeville, and Lolette and husband Byron of Abbeville; and his brothers, Henry Trahan, Au.D. and his wife Bonnie of Mesa, AZ; and Thomas Trahan, M.D. and his wife Susan of Clinton, LA. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many extended relatives.

A 1965 graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, he attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, from 1965-68. He graduated in 1969 from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge with a B.S. in Zoology. He attended Louisiana State University Medical School from 1969-73, and after graduating, completed his residency in Internal Medicine/Cardiology at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

He entered private practice in 1976 in Abbeville, and practiced there until 1991, when he became Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Abbeville General Hospital. He served as Medical Director until his passing. In addition, he served as Chief of Staff at Abbeville General Hospital, and was Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Iberia General Hospital and Dautrieve Hospital, both in New Iberia, Louisiana. He was a member of the Vermilion Parish Medical Society, the Louisiana State Medical Society, and the Southern Medical Association.

A cardiologist and emergency room physician in numerous hospitals for more than 30 years, his tireless care saved many lives and his generous and humble demeanor endeared him to the many patients for whom he cared. His gentle nature, unwavering professionalism, and commitment to providing the highest quality medical care to this community earned him profound respect from both his colleagues and the medical and hospital staffs with whom he worked.

He was an insatiable reader, a lover of movies old and new, a history buff, a wonderful storyteller, and a technophile who was always tinkering on his computers. He was gracious, funny, kind and generous to a fault, and proud of his family and of his work.

The twinkle in his eye and his easy smile will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, April 20th, 2007, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville. Visitation will continue on Saturday at 8 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maurice, where burial will follow. Fr. Keith Derouen will officiate. Pallbearers will be Richard J. Putnam III, Harold G. Putnam, Zachary Trahan, Alexander Trahan, Andrew Hebert, and Richard Prejean. Honorary pallbearers will be Byron Hebert, Richard J. Putnam, Jr., Wayne LeBleu, Corbett LeBouef, M.D., and members of the medical staff at Abbeville General Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name be made to the Mt. Carmel Development Fund/Dr. and Mrs. Harold G. Trahan, Sr. Scholarship Fund, 405 Park Avenue, Abbeville, LA 70510.