Robert Trahan: Trahan ‘gave the best he had’

Trahan ‘gave the best he had’
Family, friends pay final respects to civic leader Robert Trahan
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

Connie Trahan, center, comforts a relative Wednesday during funeral services for her husband, civic leader Robert Trahan, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Robert Trahan was remembered for his commitment and devotion to his family, the city of Lafayette and his beloved UL.

Funeral for Robert Trahan, photo gallery:
http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DG&Dato=20080227&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=802270801&Ref=PH 

Daily Advertiser, February 28, 2008

Athletic Network Footnote:  Please email the Athletic Network at athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu is you would like to be part of the living memorial to Robert.  His information and the writings of family and friends will be placed in the Special Fan link of the History of UL Athletics which will be retained on the Athletic Network at www.athleticnetwork.net

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Robert E. Trahan

LAFAYETTE – Funeral services will be held at a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Robert Ernest Trahan, 61, who died at 4:25 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at his home in Lafayette.

The Rev. Monsignor Keith J. DeRouen, Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist will be the celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.

Interment will be in St. John Cemetery.

Born Dec. 25, 1946, Robert was a graduate of Cathedral-Carmel High School and the University of Southwestern Louisiana. In addition to his long-term involvement with Lafayette Motor Company, Robert served his community in numerous areas, from his schools to his church, and several other charitable, religious, social and business organizations. Among the organizations that benefited from his personal involvement and patronage were the United Way of Acadiana, St. Thomas More Catholic High School, Cathedral-Carmel School, the University of Louisiana Foundation and Alumni Association, Community Foundation of Acadiana, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Miles Perret Cancer Services, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady and the De La Salle Christian Brothers. He also served the business community as President of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 1990. His dedication to his community and his faith earned him many honors, among them the Lafayette Civic Cup Award for outstanding community service, the Bishop’s Medal and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parish honors for distinguished service to the Church and the parish. Robert was also named an honorary doctor of humanity at the University of Louisiana in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Connie Roy Trahan; five children, Allyson Trahan Hebert and her husband, Raymond, Todd Trahan and his wife, Mignon, Hunter Trahan and his wife, Renae, Ashley Trahan Guidry and her husband, Neal, and Brandon Trahan and his wife, Aimee; 12 grandchildren, Olivia Hebert, Amelia Hebert, Camille Hebert, Mallory Trahan, Caroline Trahan, Emily Trahan, Anna Claire Trahan, Courtney Trahan, Jacob Trahan, Eleanor Guidry, Hayes Trahan, and Grace Trahan; his sisters, Carole Champagne and Annette Leblanc; and his brother, Matthew Trahan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Charles Trahan and Mary Jane Broussard Trahan.

Pallbearers will be his sons, Todd, Hunter and Brandon Trahan; his sons-in-law, Neal Guidry and Raymond Hebert; his brother, Matthew’ his nephew, Robert Joseph Champagne; and his friends, Joe Provost, Dr. Ray Authement, Ed Wynne, Jr., Gene Lognion, and Junior Gonzalez.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. John Rainey, Dr. Frank Bacque, Dr. Kenneth Laborde, Dr. Julian Krawczyk, Dalton Howard Sr. and Rickey Bustle.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at Delhomme Funeral Home from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will continue Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Robert has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Robert Trahan Internship Fund at Miles Perret Cancer Services, the Cathedral Carmel Foundation or the University of Louisiana Foundation.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Trahan family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com

Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Dr., is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Published on February 25, 2008. 

Civic leader Robert Trahan dies
Shannon Coleman
scoleman@theadvertiser.com

Robert Trahan, a man long known and admired for his business and civic leadership, lost his battle with cancer and died Saturday. Trahan was president of Lafayette Motors, a family-run auto dealership founded in 1911. But he may be best known for his support of Catholic education, UL and other prominent causes in Acadiana. "He was a very, very special human being. The Robert I knew was a very, very generous person," said Ray Simon, principal of St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette. Trahan is credited with being a founding force behind STM. "Robert was very instrumental in getting St. Thomas More started," said Danny Broussard, STM basketball coach and friend of Trahan’s since the 1960s. "I think he was a visionary. … When I think about Robert, I think he always wanted to make Lafayette a better place to live." Trahan’s list of accomplishments and commitments is long and varied, and includes being named Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association Dealer of the Year in 2004, receiving an honorary degree from UL, also in 2004, being honored by UL’s Alumni Association in 2005, receiving the Lafayette Civic Cup Award and serving as Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce president. Trahan, who graduated from then-USL in 1968, served as president of the Alumni Association as well as Ragin’ Cajun Facilities, a group that brought apartment-style housing to the university. He was a founding member of the UL Louisiana Classics Inc., the Miles Perrett Cancer Center and the Games of Acadiana. "When I think of Robert Trahan, I always think of the word generosity," said then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco in a news release from UL regarding the honorary degree in 2004. "Robert is concerned about everyone in the community and he’s always looking to help other people," Blanco said. It didn’t have to be a grand gesture for Trahan. After the Trahan children graduated STM, Coach Broussard said, he would visit Trahan at the dealership. And each time, Trahan would ask if there was anything he could do to help. And Broussard never asked. But one day, Trahan said, well, what about new uniforms? Broussard recalled that he ordered both home and away uniforms, but was concerned that they cost more than he anticipated. So he suggested that Trahan just pay for one set. "And he said, ‘Coach, just order them and don’t worry about it,’" Broussard said. "He just gave from the heart and didn’t expect anything in return." Trahan is survived by his wife, Coni, and five children.   John Rowland/Advertiser file photo Local auto dealer Robert Trahan of Lafayette Motors died Saturday of cancer. Daily Advertsier, February 24, 2008 Athletic Network Footnote:  Robert Cheering on the Football Team During the Cajun Walk prior to the N.Texas game, October 6, 2007 Robert Trahan, UL’s #1 Fan, & Jordan Jackson Athletic Network Footnote:  Please email the Athletic Network at athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu is you would like to be part of the living memorial to Robert.  His information and the writings of family and friends will be placed in the Special Fan link of the History of UL Athletics which will be retained on the Athletic Network at www.athleticnetwork.net Robert and Hunter hosting tailgating at the Ohio game, September 8, 2007.  He was so proud of his Ragin’ Cajuns tables. Robert Trahan, Hunter and guests