Al Berard, the gifted Cajun musician and music producer who died suddenly Wednesday following an aneurysm, will be buried following a Mass Saturday in Cecilia.
Al Berard, the gifted Cajun musician and music producer who died suddenly Wednesday following an aneurysm, will be buried following a Mass Saturday in Cecilia. Here's the obituary:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cecilia, for Albert "Pyook" Berard, 53, who passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 9 am until 10 pm on Friday, and continue at 7:00 am until 10:30 am on Saturday, at Pellerin Funeral Home in Cecilia. A rosary will be prayed by Deacon Ken Soignier at 7:00 pm on Friday.
Fr. Michael Delcambre will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by Rose David, Jessica Guidry, and Paula Roberts. Altar Servers will be Natalie Goulas, Allison Brasseaux, and Trevor Blanchard. Gift Bearers will be his wife, children, and his grandchildren. Music will be provided by Pope Huval and the St. Joseph Church Choir.
Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cecilia.
Born on June 26, 1960, Albert "Pyook" Berard was born with a unique and special talent the gift of music and the ability to share that gift with anyone who yearned for his artful and soulful insight into the music of South Louisiana. He was a singer and songwriter, as well as a Grammy nominee, C.F.M.A. winner, and a recipient of several awards from the Times of Acadiana.
A simple and humble man, Pyook was an award-winning world-renowned musician. He was a gift to his culture, never boasting of himself and always complimenting and encouraging other musicians, even hosting his "Fiddle Camp" to share techniques with other aspiring musicians, young and old.
Although Pyook was well-known for his musical abilities he was also a great artist, mechanic, carpenter, and a healer he had a faith so strong that it could move mountains. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cecilia, a member of the church choir for over 40 years, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a self-proclaimed "Jesus Freak" and his prayer for everyone was "PEACE ON EARTHand LOVE!"
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and a friend to many, putting God before his family and his family before his music. Pyook made everyone he met feel special he never forgot a name.
Pyook has left us with a legacy long to be remembered touching the lives of many with the gift of his soulful spirit, warm and welcoming smile, and lastly, his music. In the last few months he was putting together the finishing touches on his "Labor of Love" for the past 20 years his guitar album.
He is survived by his best friend and love of his life, his wife of 32½ years, Karleen G. Berard of Cecilia; his three daughters, whom he cherished more than life itself, Dr. Opal LeBlanc Reon, and husband, Cody, of Lafayette, Laura B. Huval and husband, Adrian, of Cecilia, and Maegan Berard, of Cecilia; his three precious grandchildren, Nate Huval, Rex Huval, and Claudia Hebert; his brothers, Jim Berard and his wife, Jackie, and Rex Berard and his wife, Belinda, of Cecilia; and his sisters, Ella Goulas and her husband, Ronald, of Cecilia, Penny Guidry of Parks, Audrey Berard and companion, Hank Begnaud, of Arnaudville, Genie Patin and husband, Norton, of Cecilia, and Sylvia Charpentier of Broussard.
He is preceded in death by his parents William and Lucille Scrantz Berard; and his in-laws, Amilcar "Micket" and Ann Opal Calais Guidry.
Honored to serve as his Pallbearers are Jim Berard, Chad Berard, Brian Berard, Shane Guidry, Ade Huval, Cody Reon, Kyle Hebert, and Blair Scrantz.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Calais, Wayne Curtis, Danny Wyble, Joe Hall, Mickey Guidry, Michael Guidry, Keith Blanchard, Dwayne Brasseaux, Mark Allemond, David Allemond, Jake Huval, and Ronald Goulas.
"So many different styles of music come from my area, I realize how blessed I am to get to play with so many incredible musicians. Playing music has been my life. Within us all there is a deep calling, this voice never leaves me alone as I'm sure for all musicians out there too.
If for some reason I cannot ever play music again (I hope that day never comes) I must say, my journey has been incredible.
Thank you all for listening, dancing, and supporting of live music. "Pyook""
Pellerin Funeral Home of Cecilia, 2238 Bushville Hwy., Cecilia, Louisiana 70521, (337-667-6464), is in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com