Lionel "Tiger" Favret

Lionel J. “Tiger” Favret, Jr., a loving husband and father and New Orleans general contractor whose work included the restoration of St. Louis Cathedral in 1976, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Metairie. He was 82.

Tiger married his college sweetheart, Lynda Hannie Favret of Baton Rouge. The couple shared a special love and devotion for each other for 61 years. He was the father of Lionel J. Favret, III, Julie Catherine Favret Calhoun (Patrick) and Jill Alene Favret Thaller (Keith), and a loving daughter-in-law, Anne Marie Fradella Favret. Tiger was the proud grandfather of Lionel Joseph Favret, IV, Patrick Calhoun, Jr., and George Williams Calhoun.

Tiger was born Sept. 6, 1942, in New Orleans to the late Lionel J. Favret, Sr., and Marjorie Ferguson Favret. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert F. Favret, Sr., and is survived by his sister, Marjorie Favret Caliri (Frank) of Kailus Kona, Hawaii, and brother, Gregory J. Favret of Metairie.

A proud graduate of Holy Cross, Tiger went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Louisiana College. As president of Lionel J. Favret Construction Company, Tiger became the third generation of his family to renovate the Cathedral in anticipation of the United States Bicentennial. He was a charter member and president of the Associated Builders and Contractors New Orleans chapter and was named Member of the Year in 1974 and 1976.

An active figure in the community, Tiger was a member of the Krewe of Argus from 1973 to 1978. He was parade marshall from 1975 to 1978 and was instrumental in starting the krewe’s tradition of honoring celebrity Empresses. Tiger also served as a Bank of Louisiana board member, Harbor Master of the New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club, Bucktown Harbor commissioner, Jefferson Community Appearance Board member, and trustee for the T. Lafon Estate.

He attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 8546. He also belonged to the New Orleans Athletic Club and the Court Jesters of the Court of Two Sisters.

Tiger’s family wishes to give a heartfelt thank you to the Tulane and East Jefferson doctors, and to the nurses and aides on the third floor of LCMC.

A memorial honoring Tiger’s life is planned for what would have been his 83rd birthday on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard in New Orleans. Pallbearers will be his nephews, brothers Gregory, David, John, and Thomas Favret.

Visitation will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 10 a.m. celebrated by the Rev. Patrick Carr in the Lake Lawn chapel. After Mass has concluded, he will be laid to rest in Metairie Cemetery.