Church Point, La. Funeral Services were held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 31, 2010 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Church Point for Pierre Austin "Tee" Savoie, 86. Mr. Savoie, a native and long-time resident of Church Point, died at 8:20 A.M. Wednesday, December 29 at the Acadia-St. Landry Nursing Home. Monsignor Jefferson J. DeBlanc conducted the services with interment following in the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cemetery on Highway 35 north of Church Point.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-two years (celebrated their anniversary on December 5, 2010), Mary Gladys Guidry Savoie of Church Point; two sons, Raymond Savoie and wife Stephanie of Livonia, La. and Donald Savoie and wife Becky of Baton Rouge, La.; two daughters, Mildred Johnson and husband Kelly of Metairie, La. and Linda S. Carmello of Church Point; seven grandchildren: Angelle Savoie of Erwinville, La., John Savoie and Heather S. Jarreau both of Livonia, Floyd, Trey, and Kyle Carmello of Church Point and Sarah Johnson of Metairie; six great-grandchildren: Alexis Saizan of Erwinville, Hunter, Koby and Dylan Savoie and Haley and Isabella Jarreau-all of Livonia-and eight nieces and nephews: Lou Ella and Lennis Tate, Melba and Dianne Savoie, Herman and Kirby Metrejean, Paula M. Kimble and Lynette M. Guillory.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Joseph Savoie; his parents, Alexandre and Angele Lavergne Savoie; two sisters, Leola Savoie Metrejean and Vernice Savoie Tate; a brother, Virley Savoie and a nephew, Harold Savoie.
Visiting hours were observed from 9:00 A.M. Thursday, December 30 and continued uninterrupted until the time of the services Friday. A recitation of the Rosary was held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday by Monsignor DeBlanc.
Mr. Savoie served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 as a storekeeper, stationed at a supply base in Newfoundland, a province off the east coast of Canada. The Navy was patrolling the North Atlantic Ocean, hunting German submarines that were invading United States supply lines. They were in constant communication with the "Free French" people who had escaped occupied France to the nearby island of St. Pierre. Since he was the only enlisted man on the base capable of speaking French, Mr. Savoie was commissioned by his commanding officers to serve as their interpreter and thus became privileged to "Top Secret" information.
Upon his return from his term of service with the Navy, he lived in Bristol (St. Landry Parish) and was a farmer for a few years with his father and brother, continuing to farm after he married. In 1955, he moved his family to Church Point where he and his wife owned and operated "The First and Last Chance Grocery" for eighteen years, retiring in 1973. Located on the present site of "Vautrot's Grocery" on Highway 95 near "Jagneauville", the store was popularly known as "Savoie's Grocery" and was said to have the "coldest beer in town".
Mr. Savoie had a serious interest in preserving the Cajun/French language, music and culture and wanted to see future generations preserving it. To this end, he coached his grandchildren in the language and enjoyed listening to Cajun/French music, especially accordian music played by his grandson, Floyd Carmello. Devoted to his grandchildren, he enjoyed crawfishing, raised a few sheep, had a rat terrier named "Ruby" and played the harmonica. He was a "Buggy Festival King" contestant in 1987, 1st Runner-Up to King Sidney McBride in 1988 and was King in 1989.
A World War II veteran, Mr. Savoie was a member and served as chaplain of American Legion Post 225 and was a member of Andrus Blanchard VFW Post 9903. He was honored with a Flag Presentation Ceremony by the Post Honor Guard at the time of services.