Individual Details

Burial

Obituary: Dr. Hugh Francis Guilbeau died Sunday, March 26, 2006, in Jennings American Legion Hospital after a brief illness. He is survived by his beloved wife, Connie Hoffpauir Guilbeau; one son, Hugh Guilbeau Jr. of Jennings; one daughter, Catherine Denoncourt of Concord, N.H.; three grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. Dr. Guilbeau was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Eaton Guilbeau and Corinne Junca Guilbeau, and one brother, Col. Lee Junca Guilbeau. Dr. Guilbeau was born March 29, 1918, in Branch. He graduated from Rayne High School and did his predental studies at ULL, then called SLI. He graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a doctor of dental surgery degree. Dr. Guilbeau served in the Army as a medical officer and was in the North African and Italian campaigns during World War II. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of captain and subsequently moved to Jennings, where he opened his dental practice. He was active in local civic affairs until his death. Dr. Guilbeau was instrumental in the founding of Jennings American Legion Hospital and was the first secretary of the board of directors. He was the vice president of the board. He was active all of his adult life in the American Legion and served as commander of James O. Hall Post 19. He had been finance officer of that post for 20 years. He was a member of the Forty and Eight branch of the Legion. Dr. Guilbeau was active in the Kiwanis Club, serving as state lieutenant governor. He also was a member of the VFW and Elks Club. Dr. Guilbeau was an active member of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church. He was proud of the fact that he was the great-great-grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Smith of Grand Coteau, who donated the land and founded Academy of the Sacred Heart and St. Charles College in that town. He was a great-great-great-grandnephew of Archbishop Martin John Spalding of Baltimore. Through the Spalding family he was a descendant of one of the first and oldest Catholic families in America. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, from Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church of Jennings. Burial will be in Old Protestant Cemetery in Crowley under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. today, with a rosary at 6 p.m., in the funeral home. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association or to the charity of one's choice. (Lake Charles American Press, 28 Mar 2006)