ST. MARY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: VELLA, PAUL, SR.

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: Twin City Funeral Home, Morgan City, La.

Died: Wednesday, January 6, 2016

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VELLA, PAUL, SR.
November 26, 1929 - January 06, 2016

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A prominent Morgan City citizen passed at 808 Hilda Street in Morgan City at 
1:34 a.m. on January 6, 2016. Paul Vella is well known for his many years as 
President and Founder of St. Mary AARP Chapter #4435. 
He was a manager at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium for several years. He 
was a fifth grade teacher at Julia B. Maitland Elementary School for eleven 
years. He worked as a park director for the Morgan City Recreation Department 
for several years. He owned and operated Shopper's Weekly-St. Mary Journal for 
twenty years. He owned and operated Vella's Fans & Gifts for ten years. He was 
also instrumental in getting a much needed gym and new school wing at Central 
Catholic.

Paul is survived by his wife of 65 years - Thelma Marie Watkins Vella and their 
three sons & spouses - Paul Vella Jr. & Beverly in Morgan City, Karl Lucas 
Vella & Gracia in Lafayette, and Kenneth Joseph Vella & Tracy in Brandon, Ms. 
In addition, he had two grand children - Jennifer Vella Stonicher and husband 
Wesley Stonicher - plus Lucas Jude Vella and his wife Lindsay. 
Paul Sr. had five great grandchildren - Evangeline Vella Stonicher, Oliver 
Blaze Stonicher, Elliot Paul Stonicher, Adley Grace Vella, and Mason Joseph 
Vella. 

He was proceeded in death by his parents Lucas and Sarah Vella, as well as, 
Sister In Laws Bernice Williams, Faith Perera, and Doris Derocca. His sister, 
Julia Cronin of Pineville also proceeded in death.

Paul was born in Bunkie, La and reared in Hessmer - all in Central Louisiana 
where he attained his high school diploma at Hessmer High School. He then 
attended USL in Lafayette where he earned a BA degree elementary education. 
He moved to Morgan City for his first job where he also met and married his 
wife.

The wake for Mr. Vella will be at Twin City Funeral Home from 6pm-9pm on 
Wednesday, January 6, 2016 and the wake will resume from 9am-10:30am on 
Thursday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am on 
Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Clyde 
Mahler performing the service. 

He will then be brought to the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum, his final 
resting place.

Twin City Funeral Home of Morgan City is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Central Catholic 
High School or Holy Cross Elementary in Paul Vella Sr.'s name.

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