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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 159
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
A RESOLUTION
To express sincere and heartfelt condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death
of Harry Guy Ricard, Sr., of Ervinville, Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Harry Guy Ricard, Sr., was born on July 9, 1909, and was one of five
children born to the union of the late Roger Ricard and Alma Patin Ricard; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ricard, affectionately known as "Dad", "Pa", and "Uncle Guy",
went to sleep on earth, but woke up in heaven on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at the age of one
hundred four years old; and
WHEREAS, Harry Guy Ricard, Sr., was a devoted husband to his wife, Theresa
Ricard, for over seventy-five years, was the father of three children, the late Shirley Theresa
Ricard, Joyce Marie Poche!, and Harry Guy Ricard, Jr., and was the grandfather of three
grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Harry Guy Ricard, Sr., was a devout Catholic who loved attending
mass, praying Novenas, attending all religious events associated with the Catholic Church,
and praying for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-
grandchildren, as his family brought him much pride, joy, and happiness and were the light
of his eyes; and
WHEREAS, he continued to kneel for his morning and evening prayers until he was
one hundred three years old and prayed the Rosary and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy several
times a day; and
WHEREAS, he attended Catholic School in Lafayette, Louisiana, until the eighth
grade when his family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he continued his education
and graduated from McKinley High School in 1927; and
WHEREAS, he held many occupations over his lifetime, including several years as
an interior window designer for Bartwell Company, Weil's, and Dalton's Department Store,
was in sales at the Army and Navy store, helped conduct an occupational survey for the ENROLLEDHR NO. 159
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government during the Great Depression, was a supervisor for a relief project, was a
postman, and an insurance agent; and
WHEREAS, his greatest and most rewarding occupation was that of a painter with
most people saying he was not just a painter but an artist using his God-given talents to the
highest degree and was known for the outstanding quality of his work; and
WHEREAS, not only was his life filled with his love of God, but he also belonged
to several social clubs and was an Auxiliary Member of our Lady of the Rosary Praesidium,
Legion of Mary - St. Agnes Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, music was an important part of Harry Guy Ricard, Sr.'s life as he
enjoyed dancing with his beloved wife, Theresa, on Saturday nights to the music of
Lawrence Welk, and was the director for several bands and played the clarinet; and
WHEREAS, Harry Guy Ricard Sr., was well-known in his community and loved to
talk to family and friends, and found a friend in everyone he met; and
WHEREAS, the loss of Harry Guy Ricard, Sr., is profoundly felt by his two devoted
children and their spouses, Joyce Marie Poche! (Maurice) and Harry Guy Ricard, Jr.
(Andrea); three grandchildren and their spouses, Marcelle B. Lewis (Marc), Paulette R.
Johnson (Stephen), and Tracy R. Aikens (Russell); five great-grandchildren, Edward Bell
Jr., Jessica B. Wanko (David), Nicole B. Bland (Beau), Dalton Lewis, and Tiara M.
Williams (Christopher); eight great-great-grandchildren, Kaylee Bland, Beau Bland, Jr.,
Brock Bland, Ellee Bell, Layton Wanko, Jace Wanko, Madalyn Lewis, Cydney Williams;
one sibling, Winifred Terrell; two brothers-in-law, Leo Fabre ! (Joyce), and Harold
Fabre!(Ethel); two sisters-in-law, Lois Ricard and Florence Charlton; and several devoted
nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express its condolences to the family of Harry Guy
Ricard, Sr., for their great loss.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Harry Guy Ricard, Sr.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES