Edward Boniface Durand

St. Martinville – A 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church for Edward Boniface Durand, USN (Ret), 77, who died Saturday morning, September 8, 2018, at Mom’s Place Residential Assisted Living in Camarillo, California.
Visitation will begin on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday, October 5, 2018, at 9 a.m. until time of services at Pellerin Funeral Home 112, New Market St., St. Martinville.
A Celebration of Life reception will be hosted by his family at Maison de Tours, 128 S. Main St., St. Martinville, following interment at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.
Monsignor Jefferson DeBlanc, Pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Church Point, will celebrate the Funeral Mass.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Joseph Durand and Genevieve “Miss Jenny” Bienvenu Durand and his beloved wife, Rosianne “Annie” Angelle Durand.
He is survived by his son, Howard Christopher Durand and his wife Kristine De Las Peñas Durand; his granddaughters, Noelani Evangeline Durand and Kalei Rose Durand; his siblings, Melanie Durand Grossman and her husband Dr. William Grossman, Jeanie Durand McNulty, and Paul A. Durand and his wife Sue Soileau Durand; and several nieces and nephews.
Edward, known by all who loved him as Ed, was born in St. Martinville on June 5, 1941. God, family, country and community were the most important aspects of his life.
Ed was a 1959 graduate of St. Martinville High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1994.
Ed heeded the call of his country at an early age, joining the United States Navy Seabees, ultimately achieving the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Ed served two tours in Vietnam, earning the Navy Achievement Medal for valor in combat. In addition to serving stateside, Ed’s 28-year military career took him to the far reaches of the world, including Okinawa, Spain, Greece, Vietnam and Antarctica.
Ed was a devoted father and husband, putting family first. He took on many family projects with Howard, teaching the beauty of building with your own hands, the joy of teamwork, and the strength of learning from your failures. As a Boy Scout leader, Ed shared these same lessons with other young men.
Ed and Annie returned to St. Martinville in 1994 to start a new chapter of their lives. Ed was a member of the St. Martinville Rotary Club and played an integral part in making the club more service oriented in support of its creed “Service Above Self.” Ed also supported Annie’s involvement with the St. Martinville Kiwanis Club, Catholic Daughters of America, and the St. Martinville Civitan Club.
It was Ed’s joy to write and tell stories. His writings included his regular journal shared with friends and family, newsletters for his military command and articles he contributed to the local newspaper. His stories of growing up in St. Martinville and tales of his time in the military were shared by many.
Ed also became a selfless caregiver to his mother-in-law, Rosy Gutekunst Angelle almost single handedly seeing her through the last years of her life. Later, and in a way, another tribute of commitment to his country, Ed served as caregiver to fellow veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Jefferson J. DeBlanc, USMC (Ret).
In retirement, Ed found a satisfying place to express his values of service, hard work, and support of community with The ARC of St. Martinville as a maintenance man and bus driver for this special needs community. For Ed, this work was very fulfilling as evidenced by the love and affection that both the staff and clients had for him.
Though he was often quiet and shy, Ed’s presence, contributions and service to God, his family, his community, and his country will always be remembered and respected.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The ARC of St. Martin, 500 Lelia St., St. Martinville, LA 70582 or the Community of Jesus Crucified, 103 Railroad Avenue, St. Martinville, LA 70582.
Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.