George Ackel Jr., real estate developer, dies at 57
Times Picayune 11-16-2009


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George Ackel Jr., a successful real estate developer from Harahan and son of the late
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner George Ackel Sr., died Nov. 11 of complications after a
medical procedure. He was 57.

Mr. Ackel was born in New Orleans and was raised in the Imperial Woods subdivision in
Harahan. He graduated from East Jefferson High School. He attended the University of
Southwestern Louisiana and Loyola University,

"George was extremely smart. He had a great wit, great charm, and he was fiercely loyal to
his family and friends," said Terry Power, a close friend and Mr. Ackel's administrative
assistant for 12 years.

Mr. Ackel wore many hats over the years but is perhaps best known for his substantial real
estate holdings in Louisiana, including 25 acres in Elmwood, Texas and Mississippi, according
to his son Adam Ackel.

Mr. Ackel came from political stock. His father, George Ackel Sr., was a longtime Jefferson
Parish councilman before being elected to the state Public Service Commission. He counts
amount his relatives former Kenner Police Chief Sal Lentini and former state Sen. Art
Lentini.

Mr. Ackel had six failed bids at public office, including an effort to fill the
commissioner's seat left vacant by his father's death and two stabs at the 12th District
state Senate seat in St. Tammany.

"He had a couple of real good shots that just got away from him," Adam Ackel said. "I really
believe in my heart he wanted to continue the good work that my grandfather did."

Mr. Ackel did serve on the St. Tammany Planning and Zoning Commission and spent three
controversial months as chief administrative officer of the East Jefferson Levee District.

Adam Ackel said many who weren't close friends or family often misinterpreted his father's
blustery, boisterous demeanor.

"He was misunderstood a lot. My dad was a big teddy bear at heart. He was a larger-than-life,
one-of-a-kind kind of guy," said Adam Ackel, who called his father the glue that held the
family together.

Mr. Ackel is also survived by sons George Ackel III, and Alexander Ackel; a  daughter, Alana
Ackel Tallo; and six grandchildren.

Visitaion will be Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans
Memorial Blvd., Metairie. A Mass will be said at 11:30 a.m. at St. Rita's Catholic Church,
7118 Jefferson Highway, Harahan. Burial will follow at Lakelawn Park Mausoleum, 5100
Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans.