Joseph Bruce Fontenot

***VISITATION HAS BEEN RELOCATED TO ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2717 DR. BOBBY DESHOTEL AVE., BASILE, LA 70515**

BASILE~It is with heavy hearts the family of Joseph “Bruce” Fontenot announces his passing on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Lafayette at the age 83. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 10:30 am at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Basile. Burial will follow in the St. Augustine Mausoleum with Father Brown, Celebrant.

          Joseph, known as Bruce to all, was born in Basile, LA on March 8, 1940, to the late Jeanise and Laura McGee Fontenot and was a resident of Youngsville, LA. Bruce was a loving, giving, and generous person. He was a great cook who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Bruce was a graduate of Basile High School, SLI, and USL. He was a teacher and then went into the oilfield and restaurant business. After he retired, he became a certified BBQ judge.

        He will be missed dearly by his wife of forty-six years, Patsy L. Fontenot of Youngsville; his eight children, Jo Anne Gray and husband, Chuck of Bradford, AR, Joseph Fontenot, Jr. of Carencro, Randy Fontenot and wife, Jennifer of Carencro, David Fontenot of Natchez, MS, Michelle Fontenot of New Iberia, Jerry Besson and wife, Kristie of Youngsville, Bobby Besson and wife, Beth of Arnaudville, and Bridget Flamio and husband, James of Houston, TX; fifteen grandchildren, Jeanise Miller, Elizabeth Cripp, Joseph Fontenot, Kasey Credeur, Lindsey Simon, Emily Sinclair, Justin Hess, Cade Denais, Spencer Besson, Olivia Besson, Ben Besson, Robert Besson, Kelsey Besson, Lexi Gurdian, and Landon Flamio; thirteen great grandchildren; as well as extended family and friends.

       He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Patricia Anne Comeaux Fontenot.

       At the request of the family, visitation will be held at ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH in Basile on Friday, August 11, 2023, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and again on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 8:00 am until time of services. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 pm on Friday evening.

      Family and friends may view this obituary and sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

      Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Basile, 1210 S. Ryan Street, (337) 432-6726 is in charge of arrangements.