Charles Isidore Denechaud III

Charles I. "Dene" Denechaud, III, an attorney who represented the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and other Catholic institutions throughout the country for the past 49 years, died Tuesday, October 27, 2015. He was 73. Mr. Denechaud, retired managing partner of counsel at Denechaud & Denechaud, was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. "Dene was a marvelous and generous individual who was dedicated to serving the church and his community. He was a New Orleans treasure and will be greatly missed.", said Reverend Kevin Wildes, President of Loyola University. The Denechaud family has represented the New Orleans Archdiocese since 1901, beginning with Mr. Denechaud's grandfather, Charles, Sr. The firm has also represented Loyola and Xavier Universities, WWL television, Second Harvest Food Bank, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, the Daughters of Charity, the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Sisters of the Holy Family, Jesuit High School and many other Catholic organizations in the community. Mr. Denechaud attended Holy Name of Jesus School, Jesuit High School and Loyola University. He was admitted into the Louisiana Bar in 1966. As a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve he served as a JAG officer from 1966 to 1973. Mr. Denechaud was active in many professional organizations including: the American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta, American Judicature Society, National Diocesan Attorneys Association, St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. Mr. Denechaud served on the Board of Regents at Our Lady of Holy Cross College, was a board member of Blue Cross of Louisiana and was a long time member of the Real Estate Committee of the Archdiocese. He also served as Trustee and Secretary of the Stella Roman Foundation, with the primary mission of supplying, furnishing and paying for the installation of Carillon Bell Systems to Roman Catholic establishments across the country. In 1989, Pope John Paul II named Mr. Denechaud a Knight of St. Gregory, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church. An avid sportsman who liked to hunt and fish, Mr. Denechaud enjoyed traveling and was a devoted Saints fan. He was a member of the New Orleans Country Club, Tchefuncta Country Club, Pickwick Club and several carnival organizations. Mr. Denechaud will be remembered for his quick wit, as well as his love of family, the Catholic Church and the city of New Orleans. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Patricia Crouere Denechaud; his two daughters, Ashley Denechaud Capra and Julie Denechaud Gahagan; his sons-in-law, Daniel Michael Capra and William Wiley Gahagan, Jr.; his four grandchildren, Charles Norton Gahagan, Aidan Michael Capra, William Wiley Gahagan, III and Patrick Voorhies Gahagan; his four siblings, Barbara Denechaud Boggs, Edward Byrne Denechaud, Jean Denechaud Oberstar and Deborah Denechaud Slimp. A Mass will be said on Tuesday, November 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 6367 St. Charles Avenue. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans at www.ccano.org or a charity of your choice. To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.