MSgt. Joseph C. Cormier, USA, (Retired)

MSgt. Joseph Cormier was the first-born of the late Ashby Cormier (Lafayette) and the late Mable Skipper (Breaux Bridge), in Carencro, Louisiana on March 13, 1940. He departed this earth on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Joseph met the love of his life, the late Ruth Marie Cormier (Breaux Bridge), at a Valentine’s Day party and united in holy matrimony on May 5, 1962. Together, this couple blessed the New Llano and Leesville, Louisiana community. Joseph was the epitome of spiritual servanthood, a family man, and committed to community service.
Joseph retired in 1992 after a 30-year career in the United States Army and again, in 2006 from Civil Service-Fort Polk, where he served in various supervisory capacities in the military hospitals and Nutrition Care Divisions. He continued to serve his country and community as an active member at the local, district, and departmental levels in the American Legion Post #387, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Forty and Eight, Disabled American Veterans, and the Knights of Columbus. He spent time volunteering to visit the ill and shut-in as a Eucharistic Minister and as a faithful member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Leesville. Known as “Skipper,” Joseph was an active member for the Holy Rosary Institute, Class of 1960 Reunion Committee.
Joseph “Honey or Clarence” was an avid supporter and companion alongside his late wife Ruth and loved her dearly. He loved to cook, watch westerns, work puzzles, listen to jazz and zydeco music. He loved cheering on the Saints. Now, he’ll be dancing with mom, again. His legacy continues in his three daughters, Melissa Strauss, Ed. S., of Clinton, Mississippi; Dr. Antionella “Shelley” (Cedric) Upshaw of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Jannease (Ronald) Seastrunk, M. S. in Alexandria, Louisiana.
His grandchildren knew him as “PePaw.” Alongside Ruth, he nurtured each one with unconditional love and laughter. The seven grandchildren include Jalisa (Justin) Dyer of Zachary, Louisiana; Hillary Strauss of Clinton, Mississippi; Colin and Mia Upshaw of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Sydney, McKenzie, and Rubin Seastrunk of Alexandria, Louisiana. God blessed him to celebrate the birth of two great-granddaughters, Carrie Ruth Lewis and Avery Carol-Ann Dyer.
He leaves to cherish his memories four sisters Velma Boyd of Breaux Bridge; Gwendlyn Miller, Sunset; Barbara (Joseph) Connor of Seattle, Washington; and Mary Broussard of Lafayette, Louisiana; four sisters-in-law, Marcella (Clifford) Sassou, Virginia Derouselle, Octavia Norbert, Pauline (Eldridge) Menard; three brothers-in-law, Cleopha (Thelma) Derouselle, Ralph Derouselle, Orel Ledet of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Marie (Derouselle) Cormier; his father Ashby Cormier and his mother Mable Skipper; one sister-in-law Cordelia Ledet; three brothers-in-law Edward Derouselle, Almo Miller, and Kenneth Boyd; one niece, Alma Ledet, one nephew, Jamall Menard.
(Pd.Adv.)