Louis W. “Bucket” Belaire

Published 6:00 am Sunday, June 12, 2016

Memorial Services will be conducted for Mr. Louis W. “Bucket” Belaire, age 74, at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2016 at Evangeline Funeral Home with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum with military services by the Iberia Parish Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday with a Rosary at 6 p.m. The funeral home will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday until service time.

A native of Abbeville and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Belaire passed away at 4:14 p.m. on Tuesday June 7, 2016 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Belaire was a veteran of the United States Navy. He served his country from 1960 to 1964, stationed in Hong Kong aboard the USS Mahan DLG-II as an airport control operator.

Mr. Belaire, better known as “Bucket,” had a long career in law enforcement. He worked as a Louisiana State Trooper for many years before transferring into the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department as a deputy. He was then promoted to detective and worked as an undercover narcotics agent. Bucket later went on to own and operate several businesses, including Blimpies, Twin Oaks Real Estate, and Belaire Real Estate. Louis also worked at Peoples National Bank where he was in charge of security and served as a loan officer, banker, and broker. He then worked for McDerrmott as a radio operator and the McIlhenny Co. as a security officer.

In 1977, Louis played the part of the monster in Samuel Goldwin’s “Return to Boggy Creek.” A history enthusiast especially interested in the Civil War Era; he was also passionate about the Cajun culture and music.

His love for Cajun music lead him to learn to play the accordion. Louis enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing his accordion. He was a member of the Free Masons Aurora Lodge 193. Bucket will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joyce Boudreaux Belaire; children Doug Belaire and wife Michelle of Arkansas, Kym Leleux and husband Craig of New Iberia, and Kay McGuffie and husband Ricky of New Iberia; grandchildren Zachary Belaire, Sage Belaire, Anise Belaire, Caroline Leleux, Catherine Leleux, and Thomas McGuffie; mother Rosalie Bares Belaire Escuriex; and step-brothers Larry Escuriex, and Ray Escuriex Sr.

He was preceded in death by his father, Exey Belaire; step-father, Lionel Escuriex, Sr.; sister, Ella Domingues; step-brother, Lionel Escuriex, Jr.; in-laws Overton and Inez L. Boudreaux; and brother-in- law, Kenneth Domingues.

The family would like to thank Eplus Oncologics and Lafayette General Medical Center for their compassionate care. A special thank you goes to all family and friends who were supportive during this difficult time.

To view the online obituary, video tribute, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.