Robert Favret Sr., contractor on several big N.O. projects, dies at 66
Times Picayune 02-04-2010


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Robert Favret Sr., a general contractor whose work included such major projects as the 1976
restoration of St. Louis Cathedral and improvements to the Public Belt Railroad in time for
its 2008 centennial, died Tuesday at Touro Infirmary of complications from a blood disease.
He was 66.

A lifelong New Orleanian who worked in commercial construction for 45 years, Mr. Favret
graduated from Holy Cross High School and Louisiana State University.

His projects also included the renovation of the art deco American Bank Building in the
Central Business District.

After Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Favret helped restore First Emanuel Baptist Church in New
Orleans. That undertaking was shown on the Associated Buildings and Contractors' national
television program "Extreme Makeover -- Home Edition."

When he finished college, Mr. Favret joined the construction company named for his
grandfather, Lionel Favret. He became vice president and stayed there until 1983, when he
joined a company run by a friend, Jack Donahue. He was executive vice president of that firm,
which became DonahueFavret Contractors in 1988.

Mr. Favret was a former president of the New Orleans chapter of the Associated Builders and
Contractors Inc. and a member of its national board. The local affiliate named him Member of
the Year in 1980.

He was on the financial advisory board for the New Orleans province of the Sisters of St.
Joseph and a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church and the New Orleans Big Game Fishing
Club.

Survivors include his wife, Anne Bennett Favret; a son, Dr. Robert "Beau" Favret Jr. of
Daphne, Ala.; a daughter, Megan Favret Denkman of Cumming, Ga.; a stepdaughter, Nikki J.
Norvell of Houston; two brothers, Lionel "Tiger" Favret Jr. of Monroe and Gregory Favret; a
sister, Margie Caliri of Kona, Hawaii; and eight grandchildren.

A Mass will be said Friday at 1 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain
Blvd. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Lake Lawn Cemetery.