Edward John Broussard

Edward John Broussard, also known as Eddie or Ed, passed away at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ on Monday, December 26, 2022. A dedicated family man, Eddie left this life holding the hand of his wife Cheryl and surrounded by his sons and other family members. Battling valiantly against stage 4 esophageal cancer for more than a year and later contracting pneumonia and COVID-19, he finally succumbed at the age of 79. Eddie was born on July 2, 1943 in rural Louisiana. His official birth certificate lists Opelousas as his birthplace, but he was actually born in the home of his maternal grandparents in the tiny town of nearby Mallet. As a toddler, Eddie moved with his parents, Berley and Florence Broussard, to Cincinnati, Ohio as part of the Great Migration of African-Americans to the northern states. Eddie strongly considered becoming a Catholic priest and attended St. Francis Seminary for nearly two years of high school before ultimately leaving due to racism. He went on to graduate from Roger Bacon High School in 1961 and matriculated to Xavier University of New Orleans, the world’s only Catholic HBCU. Eddie’s decision not to stand for the racism he experienced in seminary was indicative of the pride he always had - and taught his sons to have - in being Black. In 1963, Eddie represented his family by participating in the legendary March on Washington. Eddie graduated from Xavier with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1965 and became the first college graduate in his family. His three younger siblings and several other family members would eventually follow his lead and also graduate from Xavier. While in college, Eddie met the love of his life, Cheryl Inez Beauregard, also a Xavier grad. On October 9, 1965, they were married, beginning a union that lasted more than 57 years and produced their two sons, Christopher Dana and Terence Lamar Broussard, and four grandchildren.Eddie’s first job out of college was with the United States government, which took him and his bride briefly to Los Alamos, New Mexico and Washington, DC. Less than two years after graduating and being married, Eddie was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Though he had never aspired to be a soldier, he excelled both mentally and physically while in the service. A company clerk, he earned seven medals and commendations while serving, including those of Marksman with an M-14 rifle and Sharpshooter with an M-16. After two years in the Army, Eddie returned to his family, which now included his oldest son Christopher, and began working for Travelers Insurance Company in his hometown of Cincinnati. Soon, his youngest son Terence was born and Eddie was officially living his dream; not only because of his family and corporate job but because he was in the same city as his parents. Eddie all but worshipped his father Berley, often calling him the greatest man he ever knew, and taking his family to his parents’ home on weekends - where Eddie and Berley would play pool, drink beer, and laugh and joke late into the night - was heaven for him. However, Travelers proved to be appropriately named and soon began transferring Eddie to different cities as he rose up the ranks, eventually becoming Travelers’ first African-American personnel manager. With Travelers, Eddie moved his family from Cincinnati to Indianapolis, Indiana, then to Syracuse, New York, then to Des Moines, Iowa, and finally to Cleveland, Ohio. After more than 20 years, Eddie and Travelers parted ways and he went to work as a bailiff for Chief Judge George White, Cleveland’s first African-American judge in U.S. District Court and a personal friend. As his success shows, Eddie was a tireless and productive worker. But his work was primarily a means to provide for his family and ensure that he and they would have a prosperous and enjoyable life. Eddie loved to socialize and celebrate with his family and friends, particularly with his siblings Kenneth, Bentley, Vivian and their families. A man with a hearty taste for liquor, fleet feet on the dance floor and a sharp mind for Bid Whist, he was often the life of any party or gathering he attended. He also loved sports and spent an untold number of hours throwing the football, tossing the baseball, and shooting the basketball with his sons, whom he also coached in youth sports leagues. While watching games with his sons, brothers and friends, Eddie’s frequent verbal outbursts and commentary about the athletes was nearly as entertaining as the games themselves. While in Des Moines, Eddie became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and after his sons went to college, began mentoring young men and engaging in other forms of community service through the fraternity. After retirement, Eddie’s love for his family was on full display as he became its unofficial caretaker. He took in his father, Berley, after his mother, Florence, died; interestingly, Florence and Eddie died on the same day 24 years apart. While Eddie took care of his father for only a few months, he later cared for his father-in-law, Leonard Beauregard, for the final seven years of Leonard’s life. With Cheryl working for much of Leonard’s stay with them, Eddie took on the main responsibility of caring for her dad. Ultimately, Eddie’s sweetheart, Cheryl, was diagnosed with dementia, and Eddie spent his last few years making sure all her medical and emotional needs were met. After being diagnosed with cancer in October of 2021, Eddie and Cheryl moved in with their son Christopher and his wife Crystal in New Jersey for the final year of Eddie’s life. Eddie was predeceased by his father, Berley Broussard, his mother, Florence Thierry Broussard, and his brother, Bentley Broussard. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his sons Christopher (wife Crystal) and Terence (wife Deitra) Broussard; his four grandchildren Faith, Charity, Alexis and Noelle Broussard; his brother Kenneth Broussard (wife Lynne); his sister Vivian Guillory (husband Joseph); and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 9 am-12 pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1565 Curtis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70807, followed by the burial and repast at GreenOaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815. The service will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube at Immaculate Conception BR. Flowers can be sent to Immaculate Conception Church, addressed to the Broussard Family. Thereafter or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The K.I.N.G. Movement via the website (www.kingmovement.com) or mail at PO Box 342, South Orange, NJ 07079.