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Blaine Salvadore Kern

Blaine Salvadore Kern obituary, Harvey, LA

FUNERAL HOME

Mothe Funeral Homes, LLC - Harvey

2100 Westbank Expressway

Harvey, Louisiana

Blaine Kern Obituary

Blaine Salvadore Kern, "Mr. Mardi Gras," a native of Algiers, La., passed away peacefully at home on June 25, 2020 at the age of 93. Devoted and loving for over 18 years to his wife, Holly Brown Kern, Blaine had a zest for life, people, and the City of New Orleans. An eccentric, talented, and creative artist that served in the Army during World War II, founded Kern Studios in 1947, and Mardi Gras World in 1984. Throughout his over 70 year career in creating Mardi Gras magic, Blaine received countless awards and honors for his philanthropic contributions to the New Orleans community. He was most proud to be proclaimed "Mr. Mardi Gras" by the Krewe of Rex in 1988, and serving as Captain of the Krewe of Alla for 50 years. He was thrilled to become a Louisiana Legend in 1998, as well as a New Orleans Legend in 2014. Blaine was honored in the historic New Orleans Tricentennial as one of 300 individuals, over a 300 year span, who made New Orleans, New Orleans. He was humbled when the University of Holy Cross College named their library after him in 1990, giving him their highest honors, a doctorate and the Spes Unica Award. Blaine was overjoyed designing floats and theme park attractions for Universal Studios and Disney for many, many years. Later in life Blaine's accomplishments did not end, as his passion as an artist lives on in the children's book he illustrated with his wife Holly, titled, "A Tree In The Sea". Left to cherish their memories are his wife Holly Kern, his children Thais Barr (Dennis), Blaine Kern, Jr. (Tammy), Barry Kern (Tina), Brian Kern, Blainey Kern, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Everyone, including friends, will miss his genuine heartwarming smile and vivacious spirit. Blaine Kern was extraordinary and his legacy will forever live on. A public viewing will be held at Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA on Friday, July 10, 2020 from 8 am until 11 am. Following will be a private (invite-only) viewing, mass, and memorial service with military honors. Concluding will be a private burial. Due to COVID-19, masks will be required to enter. Mothe Funeral Homes handled arrangements, to view and sign the online guestbook visit www.mothefunerals.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times-Picayune from Jul. 4 to Jul. 10, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Blaine Kern

Sponsored by Mothe Funeral Homes, LLC - Harvey.

Not sure what to say?





Ken A Glen

October 21, 2024

A very belated condolence to Blaines families.

I had the pleasure of meeting and spending an afternoon with Blaine in the late 80's in New Orleans while planning new attractions for the West Edmonton Mall in Canada.

During our conversations Blaine shared his passion for New Orleans and Mardis Gras and left me with a wonderful book outlining the history of what he was known for.

Regards

Ken Glen
Vancouver BC, Canada

Emile Lafourcade

July 11, 2020

Let's not forget about his legacy - his children - All are perfect examples of the acorn not falling far from the tree. They love their community and the people in it. They dare to dream big. They dare to make the dreams come true. They dare to enjoy them with everyone. They dare to share their dreams with others and make our community a better place to be. God bless Mr. Mardi Gras and may the Krewe of Angels march him and his second line (brass bands, motorcycles, flashing lights and all) to the Gilded Throne. Amen!

Shirley Conley

July 10, 2020

My deepest prayers and condolences to The Kern family.

Barbara Lombard

July 10, 2020

Condolences to Thais and family in the passing of your father. May all of you hold on to all the good memories of a long and productive life lived to the fullest. God bless each and every one of you left behind who knew and loved him.

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Amish Barnes

July 8, 2020

r. Kern was not just a wonderful person, He was extraordinarily capable, genuinely generous and giving and beyond a doubt christian in his ultimate behavior and caring in his personal behavior.

Heidi Nungesser Landry

July 8, 2020

So sorry and my prayers and thoughts are with the Kern family. Mr. Blaine has been part of my familys life for decades and he will be missed.
Heidi Nungesser Landry

Herman Freeman

July 7, 2020

Gone but never forgotten
Rest-in-peace

Harold Green

July 7, 2020

This has to be said for the record- Heap See but Few Know! From The 1st ever NOLA Martin Luther King, Jr., Planning Commission, we say Thank You Mr. Blaine and Barry Kern, his son! To Barry Kern, his son- Please accept our sincerest of Condolences.

While we were planning the 1st ever Citywide Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration, The Kerns reached out to us and suggested we approve of a Specialized Float designed to Honor Dr. King! We had limited funding and Float Insurance for us was cost prohibitive. This was our 1st Citywide Celebration! Ms. Elonia Ramsey was our point person and she and Barry had developed a strong working relationship. Ms. Ramsey told us about how the Kerns were strongly committed to the success of our Celebration and had therefore decided to pick up all associated cost if we could secure float insurance and only at a Negotiated cost for our March/Parade Committee. The Kerns would pick up all building of float cost and Tractor Driver Cost at Time and ", because MLK Day was now a National Holiday! Every Year following, Ms. Ramsey and Barry expanded from 1 float to several at no cost to our Committee! We Chaired this committee for a Decade while Mrs. Ramsey was our CoChair and Kern Contact!

Thanks for all your support over the years Mr. Kern and son!!! You demonstrated via your support what the term Community is all about, Rest in Peace Sir!!!

Respectfully,

Former Chairman, MLK March/Parade, The Lower 9th Ward, Macarty Transitional to Chair of The Citywide Celebration for nearly a Decade

Pastel Peace Basket

Clint L Alday

Sent Flowers

Soldier Salute Standing Spray

Cherisse Marshall

Sent Flowers

Sandra Bird Clark

July 6, 2020

I remember Mr. Kern from my childhood when his old float warehouse was on Press Street near our neighborhood on Port and Chartres. my siblings and I along with the other neighborhood children would watch the floats leave for the parades. Mr. Kern would visit my father's small corner grocery store. I was impressed with how he was so well-dressed, articulate, and compassionate when he talked to me, a young child, with so much respect. He is Mr. Mardi Gras!
Prayers for his family and friends!

barbara bird meyer

July 5, 2020

mr. kern and his sister betty worked at the float house on architect just off of port street. they were so very kind to the children in the neighborhood. he allowed us to climb on the floats returning from the parades so that we could collect all of the trinkets that krewe members dropped on the floor of the floats. he and betty often had sandwiches from my daddy's little grocery store on the corner of port and chartres. i will always remember him for his sweet disposition and generosity.

Cluster of 20 Memorial Trees

Michael Brocato

Planted Trees

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Memorial Events
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Jul

10

Viewing

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Gallier Hall

545 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA

Funeral services provided by:

Mothe Funeral Homes, LLC - Harvey

2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA 70058

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