TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La.

OBITUARIY for  LAGARDE, MICHAEL "MIKE", SR.
 
Submitted by: Louis Lavedan

Source: LandryÕs Funeral Home, Lafourche Parish, La.

Died: Friday, July 11, 2014

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LAGARDE, MICHAEL "MIKE", SR.
(Died July 11, 2014)

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Michael ÒMikeÓ LaGarde, Sr. 65, a longtime resident of Thibodaux, died on July 
11, 2014

He is survived by his wife, Moira Horan LaGarde; son, Michael LaGarde Jr.; 
brother, Constant ÒBusterÓ LaGarde and wife Maolani; sister, Josephine ÒJosieÓ 
LaGarde Sweeney and husband Tom; many nephews and nieces.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Constant LaGarde; mother, Marguerite 
Livings LaGarde; brother, Doug LaGarde.

Mike grew up in the tropical sugar industry. He was born on March 31, 1949 in 
New Orleans and lived on sugar plantations in Louisiana, Mexico, Honduras, 
Nicaragua and Florida. He graduated from Belle Glade High School on the edge of 
the Florida Everglades. After serving his country in the Army during the 
Vietnam War with stateside duty, Mike moved to Thibodaux in 1972 to farm for 
his uncle Ruben LaGarde on Home Cottage Plantation. He soon developed a passion 
for volunteer fire fighting, eventually joining Protector Fire Company No. 2 
and the St. John Fire Department. Over the next few decades, Mike fought 
numerous fires and participated in many rescues. He was part of the recovery 
effort in 1982 after the tragic Pan Am Flight 459 plane crash in Kenner and 
served as the City of ThibodauxÕs Director of Civil Defense during Hurricane 
Andrew in 1992.

In 2000, MikeÕs lifelong love of first responding and fire trucks resulted in a 
full time job in the fire equipment industry, working first a salesman and 
later as an emergency vehicle technician for Sunbelt Fire, Inc.

Mike also enjoyed fishing, cooking, spending time with his family and friends, 
passing a good time and having an occasional Rocky Mountain Spring Water or 
two.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 18th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at 
Thibodaux Funeral Home and on Saturday, July 19th, from 9:00 AM until funeral 
time at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 
11:00 AM at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral. 

Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Thibodaux, La.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Dr. James Ellis, Dr. Perez 
and their staff.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to either the 
Thibodaux or St. John Volunteer Fire Department.

Mike will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Thibodaux Funeral Home, Inc. in Thibodaux, LA is in charge of arrangements.

US Army
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