Harold Charles Abdalla

1942 - 2012

Harold Charles Abdalla

LAFAYETTE - Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 31, 2012 at a 2:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial in Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Harold Charles Abdalla, 70, who died on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Lafayette General Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Interment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Reverend Monsignor Keith DeRouen, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Reverend Chester Arceneaux, Rector of Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, will concelebrate and and Deacon George Jourdan will assist. Lectors will be Jasmine Abdalla and Bradley Black. Giftbearers will be Amanda Black and Bradley Black. Musical selections will be " Amazing Grace," "Ave Maria," " Notre Pére," "How Great Thou Art," "Pie Jesu," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Bob Vining and Paul Eason will give the eulogy.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 20 years, Elizabeth Ann Van Fossen Abdalla; one daughter, Jasmine Marie Abdalla; his mother, Evelina Dejean Abdalla; one sister, Barbara Black and her husband, Tom; and four nieces, Bradley and Amanda "Barrie" Black, Caroline Marie and Catherine Elizabeth Badalamenti.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Harold Abdalla.

Harold Charles Abdalla was born on September 17, 1942 to Herbert and Evelina Dejean Abdalla. He remained a native of Lafayette, Louisiana graduating from Cathedral High School and USL, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He served his country proudly as a member of the United States Navy. Mr. Abdalla began his career in the family business of Abdalla's and was the founder and owner of Abform Workwear in Lafayette. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at his camp in Cypremort Point. He had a generous spirit and a "joie de vivre" that would light up any room he was in. He was a charter member of the Krewe of Bonaparte, serving on the board and as the krewe's first Premiere among other offices, and reigning as King Napoleon III. He was a past board member of the Southwest Mardi Gras Association, a past Duke and past Commodore for the Krewe of Gabriel and reigned as King Gabriel LIX. Mr. Abdalla also served as a General Chair for the Abdalla's Christmas Parade for many years and spearheaded it's evolution into the Cajun Christmas Parade in 1997. He was a member of the USL Alumni Association, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the St. Francis Foundation, a Secretary/Treasurer for Retailers Casualty Insurance Company, and was involved in many fundraisers for the Louisiana Diabetes Association. He was a sponsor of Ducks Unlimited and was a past board member of GCCA. Mr. Abdalla loved life, loved his family and loved his employees. He renewed his life with a successful kidney transplant in July of 2011. He fought a brave, short battle with cancer and remained strong until the end. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Pallbearers will be Paul Eason, Eric Toce, Anthony Badalamenti, Tom Black, Bob Vining and Dr. Juan Perez. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Chatelain, Dr. Paul Azar, Sterling LeJeune, Shelly Deshotels, Dr. Walter Comeaux, John McKnight, Dr. Paul Breaux, Sam Yoshida, Richard Lyon and the employees of Abform Workwear.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location on Monday, December 31, 2012 from 10:00 AM until time of services.

For those prefering memorial contributions, they may be made in memory of Mr. Abdalla to: LOPA, 3545 N. I-10 Service Road, Suite 300 Metairie, Louisiana 70002, The Louisiana Diabetes Foundation, 4050 N. Maiden Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, UL Foundation, c/o UL Development Office 600 E. St. Mary Blvd. Lafayette, LA. 70503 or the Carmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Avenue, Lafayette, LA. 70501.

The family extends a heartfelt appreciation to our extended family member, Maybell Narcisse, Dedra Narcisse, Dr. Eugene Brierre, Nurse Jennifer Luke and the staff of 9th Floor Oncology at Lafayette General for their kindness, compassion and care given to Mr. Abdalla and his family during their time of need.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street Lafayette, LA. 70506. 337-234-2311