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Regular Session, 2010 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 12
BY SENATOR HEBERT
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Forbus Joseph "Bag" Mestayer, Sr., former Mayor of Loreauville.
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness and a sense of profound loss that the Senate of
the Legislature of Louisiana and the citizens of Louisiana extend sincere condolences upon
learning of the death of Forbus Joseph "Bag" Mestayer, Sr., age ninety; and
WHEREAS, Forbus Joseph "Bag" Mestayer, Sr., was born March 5, 1920, one of
twelve children who grew up during the depression era, and was a native and lifelong
resident of Loreauville; and
WHEREAS, Forbus Joseph "Bag" Mestayer, Sr., was a dedicated citizen of
Louisiana, who worked tirelessly on a multitude of business, civic, political, and religious
causes throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, he respectfully enlisted to serve and protect his country in the United
States Army Air Corp on an air/sea rescue boat, rescuing downed pilots in the Gulf of
Mexico, and his duty included anti-submarine patrols throughout the gulf protecting the
shipping and oil industry during World War II; and
WHEREAS, this extraordinary man clearly demonstrated during his life his
dedication to his family, job, community, state, and his country; and
WHEREAS, his numerous accomplishments in public and private life reflected his
bravery, heroism, compassion, and commitment to others; and
WHEREAS, in 1948, he began working for Alfred Granger & Sons as their salesman
and installer for Kool Vent Awnings and Carports, a business he later purchased, and
changed the name to Forbus Mestayer Awning Co., where he worked until his retirement in
1985; and
WHEREAS, his true passion and love was public service, being mayor of and
working for the people of Loreauville brought him a great sense of accomplishment; and SR NO. 12 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Mayor Mestayer was first elected in 1955, and he served for over forty
years, constantly working to acquire funding through the parish, state, and federal
governments, as well as applying for any grants available for municipalities to make
improvements for the village, securing funding for blacktopping the then gravel roads, new
water and drainage systems, building a fire station and creating a civil defense unit which
served as the volunteer fire department, a new bridge, library, post office, hospital, sewerage
treatment plant, and a town hall, and so much more; and
WHEREAS, while he was mayor some of his duties included fire chief, street
commissioner, city marshal, and municipal judge; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, the Louisiana Municipal Association awarded Mayor Mestayer
the 10 Star Diamond Service Award for ten terms or forty years of elected service; and
WHEREAS, he also served several years as a member of the Iberia Parish Port
Commission; and
WHEREAS, he enjoyed all sports, music, dancing and playing cards with his friends,
but most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his family; and
WHEREAS, he was a loving and devoted husband of sixty-two years to the former
Myrtle Granger and a committed brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle
whose love of family was of utmost importance in his life; and
WHEREAS, upon his death the world lost a unique individual who left an indelible
mark upon his community and the lives of all those who knew him; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure on dedicated men like
Forbus Joseph "Bag" Mestayer, Sr.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Forbus Joseph
"Bag" Mestayer, Sr.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Forbus Joseph "Bag" Mestayer, Sr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE