Alvin William LaCoste

Alvin was born and raised in New Orleans and graduated from Jesuit High School in 1951. With the Korean Conflict ongoing, he earned his bachelor and law degrees from Loyola (1956) in only five years and then served with the United States Army as a Lieutenant.

While at Loyola he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Brodrick and they were married in October 1954 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church.

Alvin was an attorney, whose legal career spanned nearly seven decades. He began his legal career in the New Orleans City Attorney’s office and then moved to private practice. He worked for the Department of Defense for twenty years. As General Counsel for the Defense Logistics Agency, he served as a member of the Senior Executive Service which is a corps of elite leaders in the U.S. Federal Government.

After spending fifteen years living and working in Germany and Pennsylvania, Alvin and Mary Jane returned home to New Orleans and moved to the French Quarter. He developed a renewed appreciation of the unique history and customs of his city and used this to become a tour guide while practicing law.

Alvin was a devout Catholic and served as a Lector at St. Louis Cathedral and as an Eucharistic Minister in Zweibrucken and Philadelphia. He enjoyed fencing (sabre and epee) and competed nationally. He loved to travel and was passionate about his family, the Pelicans, the Saints and the city of New Orleans. He was involved in numerous volunteer activities throughout his life, including The Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Rotary Club of New Orleans, Archdiocese of New Orleans Pre Cana Program and Tour Guides Association of Greater New Orleans.

Alvin was the most loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane and his grandson Colin Battard. He is survived by his children Mary (John) Hurley, Alvin LaCoste, Jr., Patricia (Chris) Tumminello, Edward (Donna) LaCoste, Angela (Scott) Pritchard, Paul (Holly) LaCoste, Linda (Russell) Salaun and Theresa LaCoste. He was a loving grandfather to Chris (Jen) LaCoste, Kevin (Ashley) LaCoste, Kate Tumminello (Jay Mefferd), Cameron (Trilby) LaCoste, Sam Tumminello, Matthew LaCoste, Christine LaCoste Sorensen, Kelsey LaCoste, Patrick (Lauren) Hurley, Ellen (John) McCandless, Melissa Pritchard, Leslie LaCoste, Jenna Pritchard, Carolyn (Hayden) Bagert, Ally Pritchard, Jessica Salaun, Riley Battard (Nick Villarreal) and Molly Battard and a loving great-grandfather to Claiborne LaCoste, Harrison LaCoste, Ryder LaCoste, Evangeline LaCoste, Christopher Mefferd, Margot Bagert, Hudson LaCoste, Samantha Mefferd, Charlotte Mefferd and Killian Battard.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 775 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, on Friday, January 9th, at noon. The visitation will be held at church beginning at 10:00am. Interment will be in St. Louis Cemetery #3, 3421 Esplanade Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in his memory to Jesuit High School or the charity of your choice.