Lionel J. Robin

Cecilia – A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 14, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church for Lionel J. Robin, 70, who passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019.
Visiting hours were observed at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and continued on Monday at 7 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.
A rosary was prayed at 7 p.m. on Sunday by Reverend Gregory Cormier.
The Reverend Michael Delcambre was the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and conducted the Funeral Services. Con-Celebrants were Reverend Gregory Cormier and Reverend Flo Calais.
Interment followed at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cecilia.
A lifelong resident of Cecilia, Louisiana, Lionel John Robin was born on December 8, 1948, to the late Aristile and Irene Fitzgerald Robin. He was a 1966 graduate of Cecilia High School. An avid musician at the time, Lionel enjoyed playing the saxophone in the band, “Billy John and the Continentals.”
Lionel honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1972. Following his military career, Lionel, along with his wife Peggy, and his parents, opened Robin’s Restaurant in Henderson, Louisiana on March 15, 1974, serving all the traditional Cajun dishes – never once changing its menu. The restaurant remained open for 42 years.
Paul McIlhenny, president and CEO of McIlhenny Company, made Lionel the corporate chef and the official chef of NASCAR Team Tabasco, a position he has held for 42 years. During his tenure with Tabasco, he and his wife Peggy hosted events including, the British Open, Pebble Beach, The Masters on the P.G.A. Tour, The James Beard Foundation, Bahamas Fishing Tournament, and the Washington Mardi Gras Ball.
His awards and honors include induction into the New Orleans Gastronomical Hall of Fame in 1977; he was one of the Star Chefs for the James Beard Foundation in 2002; and in 2017, he was bestowed the honor of being named “Le Roi de L’Ecrevisse” (Crawfish King) of the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Association.
Lionel was a wine connoisseur and was knowledgeable in all aspects of wine tasting - he loved sitting down with his friends to share his thoughts on the finest of wines. Although he has traveled the world to cook for various events and fundraisers, his culinary skills remained true to his Cajun heritage and his dishes were always “simply” outstanding.
Lionel adored and lived for his family and enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and grandchildren, while creating memories they would cherish for a lifetime. An avid outdoorsman, he loved duck hunting and snow skiing with his son, Mark. He loved his companion, Max, his Grand Champion Labrador Retriever.
Lionel enjoyed the company of his many friends, some who were like family to him. He lived in the moment and enjoyed being the life of the party.
Lionel will be dearly missed by his family and the many friends he has made throughout the years.
He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Trahan Robin of Cecilia; his son, Mark Robin and wife Judy of Cecilia; his two grandchildren, Ali Guidry and husband Blake, and Jake Robin; his sister, Melba Huval and husband Dale of Cecilia; and his brother, Aaron Robin and wife Diane of Lafayette.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Aristile and Irene Fitzgerald Robin.
Pallbearers were John O’Meara, Dale Trahan, Craig Cormier, Dr. Warren Degatur, Mike Robicheaux and Larry Leger.
Honorary pallbearers were Aaron Robin, Don Dupuis, Blake Guidry, Dale Huval, Robert McFaul, Jeromy Robin, Jeffery Robin, Cliff LaBorde, Roland Laurent, Charles Chatelain, Brian Barnes, Franz Schoeffler, Randy Angelle and Buddy Azar.
Pellerin Funeral Home of Cecilia was in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.