Area graduates ponder the next step
May 20, 2008
Freddie ARed-0" Griffin Sr.
May 22, 2008
Posted Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Gilbert John Cheramie, 83, a native of Golden Meadow, La., died Monday, May 19.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Thomas Cheramie; brother, Albert Cheramie; sister, Norma Guilbeau; daughter, Linda Raphael; son, Brian Cheramie; and grandchildren, Celeste Peiffer, Ron Paul, Erika and Mickey Cheramie.
He was preceded in death by his parent, Cecelia Chouest and Philocies Cheramie.
He was the eldest of three children. After graduation from Golden Meadow High School, he married the former Joyce Thomas. It wasn’t long after he had married when he was called to serve his country. While in the U.S. Army, he took part in World War II. After serving for three years in the European Theater, he received an honorable discharge.
Upon returning home from the war, he and his father became partners in a general merchandise store, known as “P & G Cheramie Store”. A few years later, he decided to diversify by converting his general store into an “Auto Lec Hardware”.
In 1955, having established a business background and wanting to expand his opportunities, he ventured into the fairly new oil-and-gas industry by beginning to build and rent vessels which were used to transport supplies, personnel and equipment to offshore oil companies. This initial company evolved into “Gilbert Cheramie Boats Inc.” It grew to become one of the largest utility and mini-supply boat companies in the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1960, he was successful in winning a seat on the Board of Aldermen for the town of Golden Meadow, where he served four years as Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem. After being urged by friends, he decided to seek the office of mayor in 1964. He was successful and became the third mayor of Golden Meadow. While serving his community, he strongly influenced projects such as building the Oak Ridge Community Park, the construction of sidewalks in the town, building a new Golden Meadow Bridge, improvement of town drainage and creating plans to construct the present hurricane-protection levee.
He also served his community in many other ways. He was a member of the Lafourche Recreation District, a past president of the Golden Meadow Rotary Club (with 18 years perfect attendance and awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award), and a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Council No. 3150 (received an outstanding Knight award). Being very active in the Golden Meadow Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, he was an honorary lifetime member. He was also a member of the American Legion Delvin Adams Post No. 315 and the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to funeral time Thursday, May 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cut Off, La. Military service will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Mass will be at 1 p.m.
Samart-Mothe Funeral Home in Cut Off is in charge of the arrangements.
