The Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle

Andrew Biondo
September 10, 2007
Kennedy returns unopposed to Louisiana’s treasury department
September 12, 2007
Andrew Biondo
September 10, 2007
Kennedy returns unopposed to Louisiana’s treasury department
September 12, 2007

(Posted September 10, 2007)

The Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle, 86, a native of Raceland, La., died at West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero, La., Saturday, September 8, 2007, at 7:45 p.m.


He is survived by one brother, Michael Daigle, Sr. and his wife Betty; one sister, Joyce Daigle Ullo and her husband State Senator Chris Ullo; four nephews, Wayne Daigle and his wife Jamie, Steve Daigle, Sr., Michael Daigle, Jr., and Chris Ullo, Jr. and his wife Donna; six nieces, Tammy Daigle Marks and her husband Jules, Brandi Daigle, Megan Daigle, Cindy Ullo Robbins and her husband Robbie, Frankie Ullo Boudreaux and her husband Dennis, and Burnie Ullo Blanchard and her husband Rudy; nine great-nieces and nephews; two great-great-nephews; and two great step-nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul W. Daigle and Aline Chiasson Daigle; and one brother, Malcolm Daigle.

Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle studied at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict. Following his studies he earned degrees in philosophy and theology from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, La. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on September 21, 1946.


He served as associate pastor at St. Anthony Church in Baton Rouge, La., St. Joseph Church in Thibodaux, La., St. Joseph Church in Gretna, La., St. Eloi Church in Theriot, La., Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Westwego, La., St. Augustine Church in New Orleans and St. James Major Church in New Orleans.


He assumed his first pastorate in 1959 at St. Anthony Church in Barataria, La., where he served until his appointment as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Violet, La., in 1965.

He was appointed founding pastor of St. Hilary Church in Mathews, La. On January 2, 1965, he served under the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Under his guidance he progressed to the point that the entire debt on the Parish Plant has been retired. His ingenuity and precedence in the development and growth of St. Hilary Parish is widely recognized. He devoted his time and talent to creating a place of worship for years to come.

The Council of Catholic Women was organized in 1965 and has remained active for the care of the altar, vestments, and church. The first president of the council was Doris Toups. Temporary church services were held in the newly constructed school cafeteria until the present church was constructed and dedicated on September 21, 1986. This was Daigle’s completion of his legacy to St. Hilary, to the parish, and all of its parishioners. His most satisfying legacy was to leave his parish debt free, which he accomplished.

Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle retired from St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church on October 1, 1993.

Visitation is Tuesday, September 11, 2007, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with the funeral to follow at St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in Mathews. He will be buried in the church mausoleum.

Samart-Mothe Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

The Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle