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Mr. Mike Guilbeau (Deceased)

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Mike Guilbeau – Obituary

LAFAYETTE – A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 11:00 AM in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille in Lafayette, for Mike Guilbeau, 50, who died on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Lafayette General Medical Center surrounded by his family. Very Reverend Stephen Scott Chemino, J.C.L., V.G., will conduct the service.

He will be cherished in memory by his wife, Patti Saxon Guilbeau; two step-children, Adam Howe and Mackenzie Howe; parents, Harold L. and Madonna “Donna” Kojis Guilbeau; mother-in-law, Ruth Saxon; one brother, Mark Guilbeau; two sisters, Debbie Guilbeau Guidroz and her husband Mike and Dana Guilbeau Bosch and her husband John; three nieces, Emily Guidroz, Jolie Bosch and Sophia Bosch; one nephew, Tyler Guidroz; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Curry and Alice Kojis; his paternal grandparents, Raoul and Lauris Guilbeau; his father-in-law, Thomas Saxon; three uncles; one aunt; and one uncle, who was his Godfather, Jerry Guilbeau.

A native of Lafayette and a resident of Watkinsville, GA, Mike Guilbeau graduated from Our Lady of Fatima High School and USL (now ULL). He was a very passionate man, always giving 200% in everything he did in life. He started playing tennis at a very young age and went on to make this sport his lifelong career. For fifteen years, he was the Director of Tennis at Jennings Mill Country Club and was currently serving in his second year as the Director at The Georgia Club in Athens, GA. He went on to follow a lifelong dream of owning and operating his own business as a professional racquet stringer. He was a typical outdoorsman, loving all sports, especially golf, fishing, skiing and competitive running.

From the beginning of his battle with cancer four years ago, he devoted his time and energy to researching and educating himself and others on alternative methods of healing through diet. His drive and discipline were reflected in his journal entries on CaringBridge, which inspired many. Mike shared his faith and love of the Lord with everyone he came into contact with. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend, who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s DOWNTOWN Lafayette location on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until the time of service. A Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday at 7:00 PM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.

Special thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff for their compassionate care during Mike’s journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mike’s name to CaringBridge, Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 6032, Albert Lea, MN 56007-6632.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311

Published in the The Advertiser from March 25 to March 27, 2013

Updated March 27, 2013

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Eulogy delivered by Mark Guilbeau, March 27, 2013

Mike

First thank you to everyone for being here. And thank you to all for the incredible support given to Mike and family throughout his process of fighting.
It is a privilege to be up here speaking in honor of Mike. He was an incredible brother; great person; gave his all to his families – to his work – to his students – to his racquets – and to his faith.

I hope as in all passings, our sadness can be triumphed by love, happiness, respect, appreciation, and joyful memories of what Mike has meant to all of us.
Personally, what an incredible brother. To share everything with me from day one. I have so many stories. Too many to tell now… But must share a couple… Sharing a bedroom for 16 years…Mike would return home after an adventurous night …navigational skills a bit off… head carefully to the closet… slowly open the middle dresser drawer… he would assure me… he helped seal … but Mike always fixed the problem.
Also an older brother that at the age of 20 – along with his closest other 20 yr old friends – would take his 15 yr old pain in the butt brother with him on a vacation to Panama City Beach. Wow. To say I learned a lot is an understatement. But what I learned most was the caring Mike had to include others aside from himself. And even in the moments of crazy and abundant fun, Mike always maintained a caring and responsible attitude. Amazing to me. A great lesson.
He did this in every part of his life with me – included me in everything – every sport; every event – including as a seventh grader a midnight showing of The Song Remains the Same by Zeppelin at the Center Cinema; every day of tennis; every fishing trip; even a frightful trip to a Sigma Nu party; all the way to sharing his incredibly strong faith with me… the list goes on and on. He has done the same for his friends; co-workers and family. I want him to know it has meant the world to me. I could not be more proud of Mike and more proud to be his brother.
I also want to thank our family for the unending and tireless support in Mike’s battle. All of you have given so much and should be so blessed because of it. I love you all.
Many people go through life not ever truly digging in…never really experiencing a complete passion or zest for life. We can certainly all be at peace knowing that Mike not only did, but did so more than once. His passion in living a healthy and incredible life before his illness, may only have been surpassed by the passion and energy and commitment and fight that he showed during the process of living a second time after his illness. I have never seen a better fight. Despite the difficulties he went through, he always fought and always looked for the next way to not only live, but live better and also share his passion, toughness, caring and faith with all of us. We have all been blessed by Mike before, during…and I can only imagine how much more after his passing. He has shown there is enough of him to go around. Let us all take away a part of the many great traits Mike has shown and be better people because of him.
God bless all of you.
I love you Mike and I know everyone here shares the same thoughts and love. You will be missed, but we are so fortunate and blessed to carry you with us every day ahead.

Mike’s running shirt…
Phillipians 4:12-13
I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything, anywhere… There is nothing I cannot master with the help of Christ who gives me strength.

Mark Guilbeau
University of Virginia
Head Coach – Women’s Tennis
Cell 434 981-0576
Email: UVirginiatennis@virginia.edu

Website: http://www.virginiasports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=10611&DB_OEM_ID=17800

Virginia Sports TV Women’s Tennis Web Page:
http://www.virginiasportstv.com/?load=tenniswomen

University Web Page:
http://www.virginia.edu/

Athletic Network Footnote: It was my pleasure to have both brothers in an advanced badminton class at USL and to witness first hand the brotherly love of which Mark spoke, as well as the competitive juices on the court. Peace, Ed Dugas