Maurice "Hippo" Katz

KATZ Maurice "Hippo" Katz died suddenly on Monday, February 1, 2010 at his home in Metairie, LA. He was 76 years old. Mr. Katz was the son of the late Meyer and Juliette Katz. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judy. The two of them have been avid duplicate bridge players for many years. Mr. Katz is also survived by his children: William "Billy" Katz (wife Jana), Terry Katz Weaver (husband Brad), Josh David Katz, the late Steven Maurice Katz and Lisa Katz. Hippo's grandchildren include: Ryan Grace Katz, Mason Katz, Brooks Weaver, Braden Weaver, Reese Weaver, Meyer and Courtney Katz. Hippo was a successful insurance executive with clients throughout South Louisiana. He was best known as one of the leading political figures in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish. For more than 30 years, Katz was involved in political campaigns in New Orleans and Jefferson, as a major contributor to candidates, as a campaign strategist and a friend to people in politics. Hippo, whose nickname was suggestive of his girth, was famous for his sense of humor, his laughter, his good cheer, his optimism and his ability to tell hilarious stories. His greatest quality was his incredible generosity, some say "to a fault". In the 1980s, Hippo served on the staff of the late Mayor Dutch Morial and became one of Dutch's best friends. He lost his dearest friend of many years, Sheriff Harry Lee, almost two years ago. Hippo missed Harry greatly and continued to speak of him daily. Hippo spoke of the time when he could see Harry again and play booray and poker with his friend from above. Hippo considered himself one of the most fortunate and blessed people in the Metro area. A graduate of Newman High School and Tulane University, he was proud of his accomplishments, of his marriage of more than a half centruy to Judy and the achievements of his children and grandcildren. He also greatly enjoyed his fame as a political analyst, gained from his appearance on a local TV show, "Louisiana Newsmaker". Hippo was involved in many philanthropic endeavors. He recently began an effort to start a fundraising campaign to build a lighting system at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium on Delgado's campus so baseball games can be played at night there. It was Hippo's dream to help future generations of New Orleans and Metro area baseball players have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of playing baseball. For more information about Hippo's foundation, call Saundra Levy at the Jewish Endowment Foundation here, (504) 524-4559. In what turned out to be the last week of his life, Hippo told friends he thought of himself as an incredibly lucky guy. He said that when he was young, he never could have imagined that he would have so many friends or that he would have become so well-known. Graveside ceremonies were conducted Wednesday at Lake Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Edward P. Cohn of Temple Sinai officiating.