Nelson A. Waguespack, Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 3:00 PM in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette for Nelson A. Waguespack, Jr., 79, who passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his residence in Prairie Ronde. Reverend Michael Champagne, CJC, STD, with Community of Jesus Crucified, will be the Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral Services. Concelebrants will be Reverend Monsignor Keith J. DeRouen, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas, Reverend Harold Trahan, Reverend Floyd J. Calais, and Reverend Conley Bertrand of Come Lord Jesus. Committal Services will be held in St. John Cemetery Mausoleum in Lafayette with Reverend Monsignor Keith J. DeRouen officiating. The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and will continue on Friday from 11:00 AM until 2:30 PM. A Rosary will be prayed on Thursday evening at 6:00 PM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home. Survivors include his beloved wife of 40 years, Mary Bertrand Waguespack; his children, Marie Waguespack Palmer and husband, James Palmer and Dr. Liz Waguespack, DVM; his grandchildren, Gabrielle Palmer, Luke Palmer, and Louisa Palmer; two sisters, Lorraine Waguespack Grady and her husband, Jerry Grady and Janet Waguespack Kontos, and her husband, George Kontos; his nieces and nephews, Caroline Waguespack LaBiche McConnell, Dr. Jennifer Waguespack-LaBiche Roth, Chris Grady, Jill Grady, Patrick Grady, Stephan Kontos, Michael Kontos, and Christina Kontos. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Josie, who stayed by his side until the very end. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nelson Antoine Waguespack, Sr. and Enid Simon Waguespack; and brother, Carroll Waguespack. Nelson was born in Vacherie, Louisiana and raised in Baton Rouge. Before high school, his family moved to Lafayette where he lived for many years. He attended high school at Immaculata Seminary and finished his theological studies at Notre Dame in New Orleans with a Masters of Divinity. An intellectual and devout Catholic, he spent many years of his life learning about his faith and achieved several Masters Degrees. He was ordained as a Catholic Priest and served several parishes including Patterson, Abbeville, and Jennings. After several years of priesthood, Nelson was called to leave the priesthood in the hopes of having a family. Later, he returned to school at USL, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing in 1983. He became the first employee of Hospice of Acadiana as project director and the first RN in 1984. Nelson worked for Hospice of Acadiana for 26 years. He served Hospice in many capacities, ending his career as CEO. He was proud of his work with hospice and serving the Acadiana region. In his career, he served on various boards and worked with the Louisiana Legislature to provide Medicare funding for hospice patients. Nelson's dream was for Hospice of Acadiana to have an in-patient hospice. He was able to experience this dream come true with the opening of the Calcutta House. In his free time, he enjoyed riding horses, volunteering for 4-H and Acadiana Therapeutic Riding, beekeeping with his wife, and raising cattle. He was a Master Horseman and Wrangler and Master Cattleman. Nelson will be remembered for his gentle and kind spirit. He was generous with his time and resources, a proud father and grandfather, devoted husband and brother, and a friend to all who knew him. Pallbearers will be James Palmer, Luke Palmer, Kyle Gagnet, Chris Grady, Patrick Grady, Howard Cormier, and Mike Lejeune. Honorary Pallbearers will be George Kontos, Jerry Grady, Wayne LaBiche, Stephan Kontos, Michael Kontos, Matthew McConnell, and Dr. Brad Roth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Nelson's name to The Calcutta House - Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70506. A heartfelt appreciation is extended by the Waguespack family to Kristina Moorman for her excellent care of Nelson and his family in their time of need, also to Hospice of Acadiana for their many years of dedication and support. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311

Nelson A. Waguespack, Jr.

December 7, 1942 - April 18, 2022

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