TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La. OBITUARIY for VENTURA, GENE JOSEPH Submitted by: Louis Lavedan Source: Samart Funeral Home of Houma, La. Died: Sunday, September 11, 2016 ============================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ============================================================================= VENTURA, GENE JOSEPH September 29, 1927 - September 11, 2016 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafourche/obits/dateobits/2016/f1609.htm and click on the name of interest. ========== Gene Joseph Ventura died peacefully in his home surrounded by family after a short battle with lymphoma on September 11, 2016. He was just eighteen days shy of his 89th birthday. He was a native of New Orleans and a resident of Bourg, Louisiana. He enjoyed 50 years of life in the home that he and his wife built themselves when they moved there after Hurricane Betsy. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 17, from 10:00-11:00am at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bourg. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bourg Lions Club following the mass. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dolores Nettleton Ventura; his sister, Raymonde (Monie) Ventura Fox and her husband, Raymond; three daughters and their spouses: Debbie and Robert Yelverton, Judy and Douglas Bascle, and Lynne and Blake Scott; six grandchildren: Cally Yelverton Trosclair and husband, James; Regina Bascle Champagne, and husband, Jude; Scottie Scott and wife, Angela; Benjamin Yelverton; Stacey Bascle Leone, and husband, Michael; and Brittany Scott. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Cameron Trosclair, Destiney Parfait, Ella Scott, Jamie Trosclair, Chloe Trosclair, K’Leigh Champagne, Ryley Parfait, Claire Champagne, Raelyn Scott, and Brantley Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Ventura, Sr. and Marie Josephine Bonnecarrere Ventura; his brothers, Matthew Ventura and Anthony Ventura, Jr.; in-laws, Wilfred and Rita Falgout Nettleton; and son-in-law, Wayne Leboeuf. Gene always faced life with an optimistic, winning attitude - probably because his mother named him after the winner of the September 22, 1927, fight between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey. As a proud American, he wanted to serve his country. In WWII, at the age of 15, he joined the Army Transportation Service as an Engineer Third Class. He believed strongly in his right to vote, and in the 1980’s, he joined the “Billy Club” in support of Billy Tauzin. For about 20 years, he worked in the Hospitality Room in Washington, DC, at the Krewe of Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations. When his wife served as a state officer for the National Association of Postal Workers, he was her “personal assistant,” traveling to meetings, conferences, and lobbying in Washington, DC. He was also a member of the Regional Military Museum Foundation and involved with the Veterans Association. For as long as anyone can remember, he loved being on the water. With his father, he was a trawler and fisherman on the Josephine and the T-Nina. When he moved to Bourg in 1966, he became a diesel mechanic and boat captain. He retired from United Gas Pipeline in 1986. His biggest dream was to own a sailboat, and he bought his first one in the 1970’s. For 30 years, he and Dolores belonged to the South Louisiana Sailing Association and raced in regattas. Gene also loved to travel. During his life, he traveled to every state in the United States, as well as Canada and Mexico. When he couldn’t sail anymore, he bought a camper, and he couldn’t wait to give others travel tips when he found out they were planning trips to the same places he had visited! Gene also loved music and dancing. In his early years, he played the harmonica. Later, he taught himself to play the guitar. Until just recently, Gene and Dolores could be found dancing to Cajun music every Tuesday night at the Houma/Terrebonne Waterlife Museum. The family would like to extend their gratitude to St. Joseph Hospice, STAT Home Health, Dr Abou-issa and staff, and Father Ty Van Nguyn at St. Ann Catholic Church. His family and friends will remember him this day and every day, comforted by so many wonderful memories. Samart Funeral Home of Houma in Charge of arrangements US Army ======================