Sherwin Jonas Guidry

by Sheri Guidry Bergeron

My father had his 90th birthday this January. He is an incredible, wholesome Cajun man who has a lighthearted personality and has used his 90 years loving, supporting and guiding our family. He was honored with a joyous birthday party and family reunion at Oak Alley on Sunday, January 3rd. He is dearly loved by everyone who knows him.

The youngest son of John Guidry and Ludovia Lirette, my father, Sherwin “Chabbie” Guidry, was born January 3, 1920, in Montegut, Louisiana, located south of Houma. After serving in WWII, he married on June 28, 1944, Lee Dora Peltier. They have two daughters, Sheri Guidry Bergeron and Kathy Guidry Henson. Sheri is married to Iven J. Bergeron, Jr. Iven and Sheri have two married sons, Troy and Todd, and seven grandchildren.

Chabbie, a leading citizen of Terrebonne Parish and throughout Acadiana, was acknowledged for contributing to the preservation of the history of our Acadian heritage with several awards. His wonderful insight into the past has been passed on through his artifact collection and narrative talks shared with youth groups throughout the state. He wrote articles for the Houma Courier and Bayou Catholic newspapers for many years covering Acadian and Terrebonne Parish history, folklore, and recaps of his studies and travels. He is known for articles such as: "History of the Acadians" and a compilation of his many articles that were published into books named, “Xplorin' Terrebonne” and “'Xplorin' Acadiana”. These are available in various local libraries in Louisiana.

He has been gifted with a wonderful singing and speaking voice that has been shared in church and Master of Ceremonies events in various communities. He had an entertaining Dixieland band in which he played trumpet, and with his Bing Crosby style voice, sang popular dance tunes and top 40s songs and hits of WWII. He wrote several songs, one of which was adopted as the official Terrebonne Parish Song. His love for music and history were shared and appreciated throughout Acadiana. In his late 80s he was still entertaining other seniors living in nursing and assisted living homes in Baton Rouge.

Today in 2010, Chabbie and Lee are living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Chabbie is 90 years young and his health may have slowed him down, but he still sings and continues to entertain his family and friends.