FERRIS PAUL ROMAIRE JR.
May 11, 1926 — August 24, 2021
Ferris Paul Romaire, Jr., 95 years of age, a native of Baldwin and a longtime resident of Morgan City, was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Ochsner St. Mary Medical Center.
A proud World War II veteran of the United States Navy, Ferris joined the military to serve his country just three days after graduating high school in 1944. After his return from the Philippines, he worked as a machinist to provide for his growing family and eventually served as Vice President of E.J. Fields Machine Works.
Ferris was an outgoing, good-humored man. He raised an amazing family that he was so proud of; he cherished his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a best friend to many, a wonderful neighbor, the unofficial neighborhood watch dog, a master gardener, and an engaging conversationalist who kept everyone laughing. He sang in the Holy Cross Choir for over 40 years. He continued his love for music by also becoming a member of the Tune Weavers and St. Stephen’s Choir. He had impeccable common sense with a knack for solving the biggest problems.
Those left to cherish Ferris’ wonderful memory is his loving wife of 74 years, Margaret Smith Romaire. They were recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum’s Hall of Fame in 2019 and 2020 for being one of the longest married couples in the state of Louisiana. They became Morgan City’s unanticipated celebrities when photographs of them celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary gained national and international attention in air, print and social media. Additionally, he is survived by his three children, Dianne Romaire Romano and her husband, Michael, Robert Romaire, Kim Romaire Noto and her husband, Gary, and son-in-law, Herman Ballay; two sisters, Lois Bergeron and Vivian Jeanmard; his cousin and brother-by-heart, Billy Talbot; eight adoring grandchildren, Ann-Marie Ballay, Jacque Ballay, Melissa Romaire Mertz, Emily Romano, Amanda Noto Kleckley, Peter Noto, Maria Noto Moynihan, and Aimee Noto Kindle; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
He was greeted in heaven by his daughter, Catherine ‘Cathy’ Romaire Ballay; and his daughter-in-law, Terry Lombardino Romaire; his parents, Ferris Paul Romaire, Sr. and Florence Vivian Wilkes Romaire; and his brother, Richard Romaire, Sr.
Visitation will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., with a Mass of Christian burial at 1:00 p.m.. Father Mike Tran will officiate the services. Military honors will follow at the Morgan City Mausoleum. The East St. Mary Veterans Funeral Squad will be rendering military honors.
The family would like to express their love and gratitude to his caregivers, Vicki Daigle and Lisa Daigle, Ferris’ coffee buddies — Wooster Fell, Lloyd Aucoin, Ridley “Black” Blanchard, and Alfred Arceneaux; and his nephew, Ricky Romaire, who all faithfully visited him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the three groups that were near and dear to Ferris’ heart:
National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA, 504-528-1944;
Achilles Freedom Team, give.achillesinternational.org; or
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 800-805-5856.