Peter "L. J." Menard

Peter "L.J." Menard, 90, of Biloxi, MS passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 27, 2011. God has opened his gates for a most holy man. L.J., as he was called by those who knew and loved him, was born in Erath, LA on August 16, 1920. He moved to the Biloxi coast in 1932 and attended Biloxi High School. His highlights were, saxophone player in the BHS band, boxing team, where he was known as the "Kangaroo" and golf. L.J. was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was a 5th Degree Order of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Menard owned and operated Menard's Grocery on Back Bay until 1980 when he retired but still continued to serve his church and community. L.J. also served in the US Army for four years during WWII. Mr. Menard was preceded in death by his parents, Alma Lee Menard and Clodie Menard and by his borther, Alvis Joseph Menard. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Reinike Menard; son, Peter L.J. (Jay) Menard, Jr., and his wife, Paula; daughters, Eileen Dznowski and husband, Ray, Dean Haggerty and husband, Michael, Jimmie Quigley and husband, Keith; sister, Alta Mae "Tut" Higginbotham and her husband, Dennis. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jill Dznowski McKee, Jodi Dznowski Ray, Brent Quigley, Mikie Haggerty, Rae Quigley, Deani Haggerty and Jaymi Menard; five great-grandchildren, Madison Ray, Hunter Ray, Haylee Ray, Noah McKee and Christian McKee. He will be remembered as Po-Po Candy, a great cush-cush maker and the most godly man we have ever known. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church. Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until mass time. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Vincent de Paul Society, Our Lady of Fatima, 2090 Pass Rd., Biloxi, MS 39531. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.