1926
Robert
2016
Robert Joseph Degraauw
August 11, 1926 — February 24, 2016
Born and raised in Abbeville, La, son of Frank and Anita (Bodin) deGraauw, he was a life-long resident of Abbeville.
After graduating from Abbeville High school, he joined the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater as a Signalman during World War II. He then attended LSU and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He returned to Abbeville where he became active in his father's movie theater business and went on to establish F & R Air Conditioning. The deGraauw family had quite a history in Abbeville cinema having premiered "The Jazz Singer" at the Frank's Theater in 1927, "The Louisiana Story" in 1948 and "Belizaire the Cajun" in 1986. Many Abbeville residents recall fond memories at the Lafitte Drive-in Theater as well. His children recall being "volunteered" to paint the speaker posts every year. Mr. Bob was actively working at the Lafitte Cinema until the day before his hospitalization. His F & R Air Conditioning business kept residents of south Louisiana cool and comfortable for many years and continues to do so with his son-in-law, David Ashley as owner and his grandsons, Patrick and Phillip Ashley on the staff.
Bob met Cleo Songy in 1951 while she was working as a Vermilion Parish Librarian. They married in 1953 at St. Mary Magdalen Church and had 5 children: Robert Joseph, Jr., Mary Margaret (Peggy), James, Anne and Susan. They were married for 55 years at the time of Cleo's death in 2008. As the children grew and moved out on their own, they always maintained Abbeville as their home. Bob took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and was often heard singing their praises around town. Education was a top priority and he was especially proud that all of his children earned college degrees. As a graduate of LSU, he was a Tiger fan and part of a four generation legacy of Tiger graduates that included himself, Mrs. Cleo and her father, two daughters, Anne and Susan and one grandson, Brian.
It is with a somber heart and deepest condolences that we say goodbye to our beloved father, grandfather, mentor and friend. He is survived by two sons, Robert deGraauw, Jr. of The Colony, TX and James deGraauw and wife Nancy of Baton Rouge; three daughters, Peggy Ashley and husband David of Abbeville, Anne deGraauw of Abbeville and Susan (Baudoin) Bistransin and husband Pete of Crofton, MD; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cleo Claudia Songy deGraauw; his parents, Frank and Anita deGraauw, his brother, Frank, and a great grandchild, Gillian Ashley.
Visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home, in Abbeville on Friday, February 26, 2016 from 5:00 until 9:00 with a rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation resumes on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. until the time of service. A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville. Officiating the Mass will be Father William Blanda.
Pall bearers are Phillip Ashley, Patrick Ashley, Brian Baudoin, Frank deGraauw, Michael deGraauw and James Hoffpauir. Jason deGraauw will serve as honorary pall bearer.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mount Carmel Elementary Capital Campaign, 405 Park Avenue, Abbeville, LA 70510.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Joseph Degraauw, please visit our flower store.
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