Joseph "CJ" Bertrand

ABBEVILLE-It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph “C J” Bertrand, 91, of Abbeville, Louisiana. Born in Henry, LA on December 18, 1932, “CJ” peacefully passed away on Monday October 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. Reverend Daniel Picard will officiate at the funeral mass. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Brooks Bertrand, Barrett Bertrand, Jeremy Bertrand, Ben Bertrand, Philip Michael Bertrand, and Mark Bertrand, nephew. 

Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to gather and remember a man who selflessly gave so much to others. 

 A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. Saint Charles St., on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; and on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.

CJ was a graduate of Henry High School and then joined the U.S. Army. After basic training, he returned to Abbeville to marry his childhood sweetheart, Mary Lou Romero. He was then deployed to Korea for 18 months. He was extremely proud of his service to our country and remained staunchly patriotic his whole life. One of his proudest moments was when his grandchildren presented him with a flag that was flown over our nation's capitol on his 90th birthday. Upon returning from Korea, he resumed the job with the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development, DOTD. He retired with 35 years of service, and at the same time operated a small family grocery store for nine years. 

Bertrand sold insurance and started several businesses in Abbeville. As he entered his 70s, he returned to the highways and worked for several contractors around the state and finished his career with Sellers and Associates and worked there until his death. He taught us all that hard work could solve many problems. CJ was also very active in his community, in particular American Legion Post 29, VFW, and was the most committed supporter of his kids and grandkids whether it was Abbeville High, Vermillion Catholic, Lafayette High, Mississippi College or any other thing they participated in. 

He leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and devotion to his family. He is survived by his three sons, David Bertrand and his wife Susie, Philip Bertrand and his wife Gwen, and Robert Bertrand and his wife Fran; eleven grandchildren, Kristin Mason ( Mitch), Katie Hudspeth (Grant), Brooks Bertrand (Darian), Barret Bertrand, Jeremy Bertrand (Morgan), Emily Zaunbrecher (Gus), Ann Elise Fresneda ( Jacob), Mary Catherine Meaux ( Zachary), Madeline Bertrand, Ben Bertrand, and Philip Michael Bertrand; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his spouse, Mary Lou Romero Bertrand; parents, Eddie Bertrand and the former Edith Soirez; and brothers Hugh Bertrand and Vernez Bertrand.

The family would especially like to thank Dr Lahasky, Carr, Pruitt, and Kaufman, Hospice of Acadiana, and the neighbors and friends that showed him such love, compassion and care.

All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.