Jacques Legrand Obituary

LEGRAND Mr. Jacques Legrand, age 76 years, departed from this life on Thursday, May 31, 2007 at Canon Hospice in Jefferson, LA. Mr. Legrand is the beloved father of Jacques Legrand, Jr., Christine Delatte and Nicole Johnson. Father-in-law of Capt. Robert Johnson and Chet Delatte. Brother of the late Paul Legrand. Grandfather of R. Bradley Johnson, Laine Johnson and Gabrielle Delatte. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Legrand was a native of Paris, France and a resident of the New Orleans area since 1957. While living in France, he was a Paris Fire Fighter and served in the French Army. He competed on both, the French National and Olympic teams in Swimming and Judo and in 1956 was the French National Champion in Judo. Upon arriving in the United States he became the swimming instructor and lifeguard at Stallings Pool in Gentilly and also Pontchartrain Beach. He was affectionately known as ""Coach'' to everyone due to his many dedicated years as a Judo instructor. He started his local career as a Judo instructor on Burgundy St. in the French Quarter. For several decades he was the owner and operator of a health and racquetball club in Metairie which was a friendly and inviting place for the members and their friends to gather. Over the years his many Judo trips throughout the country and the world were always full of fun and adventure. Upon his death, Mr. Legrand achieved 10th DAN, which is the highest ranking a Judo artist has achieved in the United States. To learn more about Mr. Legrand and his accomplishments, please visit www.neworleansjudo.org and click on Jacques Legrand. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass at GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME, 5200 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 1:00pm. Visitation will be from 10:00am until 1:00pm. Interment will be private. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.greenwoodfuneralhome.com or www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

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Published by The Times-Picayune from Jun. 2 to Jun. 4, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Jacques Legrand

12 Entries

James Anderson

June 8, 2007

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

mellody hoyt

June 7, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Justine Delatte Saury

June 6, 2007

Dear Christine, Jacques, and Nicole, I was very sorry to hear of your dad's death. Many miles may seperate us but you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I have been thinking of "votre pere" this week when I pass in front of our local "caserne de pompiers". Love, Justine

Richard Bagnetto

June 5, 2007

RICHARD BAGNETTO mourns the loss of his good friend,Jacques

Vincente D'Ingianni

June 4, 2007

Dear Jacques, Christine, and Nicole. The North Texas Judokai sends their deepest sympathies. Jacques was a dear friend and inspiration for us all. He will always remain our "Coach".

Manmohan Singh Chima

June 4, 2007

Jacko, Christine & Nicole: Coach will be fondly remembered for his resolve, character and big heart. He was a great person who touched many souls and now we pray that he rests in eternal peace. I, my family, North Texas Judokai and our Judo Family all share the loss with sympathy and deepest sincere condolences.

FRED "SNOOK" LOUIS

June 4, 2007

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Jacques Legrand. The Judo community,especailly in the New Orleans area, has truly lost a great Judoka and citizen. As a very young Judoka,I had the opportunity to be in one his classes at Crescent City Judo Club. I will never forget, I weighed about 150 lbs. and your dad was about 290-300 lbs. He used me as uke to demontrate Uchi-mata. Well your father lost his balance and fell on top of me. The other students in the class held their breath and were frozen in time, because they thought Jacque had killed me. After the big guy got off of me, I then realized that he had broken my nose :-). We all laughed afterwards. I am sure you have many great memories of Jacques, and those will be with you forever. Jacques was a man of great character and he had a contagious sense of humor. Jacques, thank you for everything.

Bob Westerlund

June 4, 2007

Jocko, Christine & Nicole: Your Dad will always hold a special place in my heart. He was a great friend and took care of me in many ways. My family joins me in our expression of sympathy and love.

Alan Drumm

June 4, 2007

Dear Jaco, Christine, and Nicole, your Dad was a great guy, I had many good times with your father, he had a life well lived. Our prayers are with all. Alan Drumm and the Drumm family.

Charles "Chuck" Gras

June 4, 2007

I was very deeply saddened to hear of the loss of a great coach, incredibly accomplished judo player and good friend. My sympathies are with you at this time.

David Mejia

June 2, 2007

Dear Jaco,
I am so sorry for your loss, I had lots of love for your Dad. He always gave me a hard time and he drove me crazy making me look for the France National Anthem for his cell phone. He would tell me he would throw me around if I ever wanted to study Judo with him, but that was what I loved about him.

He will be missed but not forgotten.
David A Mejia, Kristine Mejia and Staff at Blue Communications.

Wayne, Yan, & Mark Waguespack

June 2, 2007

Dear Jacques, Christine, & Nicole: May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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