Pierre Francis "Pete" Gaudin Sr.

1936 - 2022

Pierre Francis "Pete" Gaudin, Sr., born March 12, 1936, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2022, after a sudden brief illness. Pete was a gifted athlete and attorney who continued to work every day until his recent illness and death. He was a loving son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather. He married Janice Ann Collins on January 2, 1956 and was married for 52 wonderful years. Janice pre-deceased Pete in 2008. He is also pre-deceased by his parents Regis Bernard Gaudin and Inez Catherine Grenier; his cherished brothers Homere Charles Gaudin and Felix August Gaudin; and his grandson Ryan Gaudin. Pete was born in New Orleans, grew up in Covington and attended St. Paul's High School. When his family returned to New Orleans, he attended De La Salle High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball in the Catholic League. He was in the second graduating class of De La Salle in 1954. He attended Loyola University on an athletic scholarship where he also excelled in basketball and baseball, earning All American honors in basketball. He was the leading career point scorer at Loyola when he graduated in 1958. He was later inducted into the De La Salle and Loyola Athletic Halls of Fame, and the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame. After graduation, Pete played semi-professional basketball for the Seattle Buchan Bakers of the National Industrial Basketball League. When the league folded in 1961, Pete was on his way to Detroit to play for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA who had drafted him out of college; however, his brother Homere Charles convinced him to enroll in Loyola Law School. While attending night classes at Loyola, he worked for Commodity Credit. In 1966 upon graduating from Loyola Law School, Pete joined his brother Homere Charles in private practice in Gretna, Louisiana where he remained for the rest of his career. He was loved and trusted by generations of clients who knew him as "Mr. Pete." Pete was a member of the Louisiana State and Jefferson Bar Associations. Pete loved spending time on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, made many good and long-lasting friendships, especially the "Lucky Seven," and was well-known for hosting the annual Good Friday crawfish boil at his "camp" in Bay St. Louis and later in Pass Christian. Pete was a long-time member of the Bay Waveland Yacht Club and active at the Pass Christian Isles Golf Club. Pete enjoyed holding court from his Metairie home "bar," playing his jukebox, and watching sports, news or classic movies. He loved playing golf and, until his death, participated in a regular Wednesday game with friends. A lifelong Catholic, Pete was a member of St. Angela Merici Parish. Pete is survived by his sons, Pierre F. Gaudin, Jr. (Kathleen), Hilary Gaudin (Mary) and Andre' Collins Gaudin (Lorin), and his loving companion, Verna P. "Dee" Trahan. Pete also leaves many loving nieces and nephews; special among them are Erin Mount Hadden (Mac) and Matthew Carlin Mount (Sonja) with whom he had a special relationship. Pete is also survived by grandchildren, Pierre F. Gaudin, III (Lauren), Andre' Collins Gaudin, Jr. (Janell), Remy Gaudin, Jonathan Gaudin, Chelsea Favret (Thomas), Hilary Robin (Hunter), Mary Olivia Gaudin, Kindall James (Joel), Michelle Hall (Gordon) and Patrick Schwall (Chelsea) and nine great-grandchildren with three more on the way. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Lake Lawn Funeral Home. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass at 1:00 p.m. The family prefers donations to St. Angela Merici Parish, the Gaudin Family Scholarship at Loyola University New Orleans, De La Salle High School or a charity of your choice. The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.