Ordinary People - Extraordinary Lives: John Leonce Guidry and Lillian Lefort Guidry of Galliano, LA
Throughout history the Guédry and Petitpas families have left their mark in all fields of endeavor. Gilbert A. Labine occupies a prominent place in the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. Ron Guidry, Clem Labine, Leo Labine, Paul Guidry and Mark Guidry were outstanding professional athletes. Fathers Pierre Labine, Michael Guidry, Mitchell Guidry and Raymond Guidry, Deacon Ronald J. Guidry, Rev. Neichelle R. Guidry and Archbishop Gérard Pettipas have served their flocks well. Leo Pettipas, Michael Guidry, C. L. Pettipas and Thomas LaBean have enriched the lives of many through their scientific endeavors.
Tyler Labine, Kyle Labine, Cameron Labine, Matt Guidry, Allen Guidry, Chloe Guidry, Diane Gaidry, Eric Jeddry, Maurice Petitpas, Bernard Petitpas and Eleanor Labine entertain us with their superb theatrical skills. Col. William J. Pettipas, Brigadier General Albert L. Geddry, Colonel Roland D. Guidry and Colonel Clyde Guidry served their countries and protected our freedoms. Oran 'Doc' Guidry, Robert Charles 'Bobby Charles' Guidry, Randy Jeddry, Nathalie Geddry, Laura Jane Labine, Ron 'Black' Guidry, Jules 'Nonc Jules' Guidry, Gregory 'Greg' Guidry, Andre Pettipas and Scott Pettipas have awakened our ears with their unique musical styles. Roland A. 'Clem' Labine Jr., Lynn Guidry, Tim Guedry and Steven Petitpas have designed our homes and neighborhoods through their architectural expertise.
These are just a few of the Guédry and Petitpas families that have excelled in their professional lives. And we have not mentioned so many other professions where those of our family have made significant impacts including art, business, medicine, education, engineering, history, landscape, languages, politics and computer science.
Perhaps the biggest, yet almost unnoticed, impact that one can have on the everyday lives of one's community and neighbors is civic leadership. Earlier we highlighted the remarkable life of Malvina Menard Labine, Reeve of Alzida, Ontario - a simple lady who improved the everyday lives of her neighbors. (See Volume 5, No. 1 of Winter 2007 "Generations" and Volume 5, No. 3 of Fall 2007 "Generations" )
John Leonce Guidry and his wife Lillian Lefort Guidry struggled throughout their lives to improve their small community of Galliano in southeastern Louisiana while they raised their three sons and daughter. What they accomplished in one lifetime is almost unbelievable. And they left a true legacy behind - one of their sons Richard 'Dick' Guidry at the age of 23 became the youngest person ever elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives where he served for 16 years. Beloved by his constituents, perhaps Richard's greatest achievement was the creation of the South Lafourche Levee District. These levees protected the citizens of southern Lafourche parish from flooding during several hurricanes including Hurricane Katrina. In 2014 he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.
We thank Gloria Guidry Peterson of Broussard, Louisiana for bringing the lives of this remarkable couple to our attention and providing this article from "The Lafourche Country II - The Heritage and Its Keepers" edited by Stephen S. Michot and John P. Doucet.
