Biography of Claude L. Naquin; Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by N.O.V.A. June 2005




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Tulane Booster, War Hero Claude 'Conk' Naquin Dies



Claude J. "Conk" Naquin, owner of Conk's Le Cue and founder and

president emeritus of the Ray Hester Chapter of the Tulane Booster Club,

died Friday of cancer and asbestosis at his home in Algiers. He was 72.



Mr. Naquin was born in White Castle and lived in Gretna for 30 years before 

moving to Algiers 39 years ago.



He was a corporal in the Marines during World War II, participating in

invasions in Guam, Marianas Islands, Iwo Jima and Volcano Islands. In 1945,

he received the Purple Heart Award, as well as the Good Conduct Medal.



After the war, he worked for the Johns Manville corp. for 13 years.

He then worked as a manager for the Expressway Bowling Alley.



In 1963 he brought to the West Bank the Professional Bowling Association

tour, an event that was held in Gretna for many years.



Mr. Naquin also was responsible for the endowment of a scholarship in the 

name of Ray Hester, a former linebacker at Tulane University and with the 

New Orleans Saints. Hester died of leukemia in 1977.



The establishment of the Ray Hester Scholarship was one of the projects 

Naquin immersed himself in once he took it upon himself to recruit 

individuals to support Tulane's athletic department.



In 1973, Naquin founded the Tulane Booster Club with a membership of 250 

people. He lured them with the promise of a free bash after an upcoming LSU 

game. He kept his promise as the Green Wave went 9-3 for the year and beat 

their rival for the first time in a quarter of century.



Naquin also was a member of the Archbishop Blenk Council of the Knights of 

Columbus and a lifetime member of the Holy Name Society in St. Julian Eymard 

Parish in Algiers. He was a member of the Gretna Sportsman Club and the 

Disabled American Veterans, Westbank Chapter 23.



In 1995, an endowed scholarship in his and his late wife's names was made to 

the Tulane Athletic Department.



Survivors include his mother, Lea B. Naquin; and four brothers, Henry, 

Lloyd, Sterling "Buck" and Murray Naquin.



A wake will be held tonight from 6 to 11 at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 West 

Bank Expressway in Harvey. A Mass will be said Monday at 9 a.m. at the 

funeral home.  Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery.





Soource:  Times Picayune 04-21-1996