Joseph Henry Acardo

A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and dear friend to all who knew him, Joe Acardo departed this earthly life and met his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was 87, a native of Gramercy and resident of Baton Rouge. He was a Coast Guard veteran of World War II. He was a retired barber and a retired Exxon and Phillips 66 service station manager. He was an avid outdoorsman, loved fishing and hunting, and was a dedicated LSU and New Orleans Saints fan. He loved to cook, and family gatherings were even more special if "Paw Paw" cooked his famous spaghetti, jambalaya, or some other dish that had his magic touch. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Naomi Leonardy Acardo; two sons, Richard J. Acardo and wife Jamie, and Ray H. Acardo and partner Presley; a daughter, Sandy Acardo; four grandchildren, Anthony Acardo, Christopher McCann and wife Emily, Leanne Redden and husband Louis, and Mandy McCann; and a great-grandchild, Olivia Grace McCann, his little "Schnooks." He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society and American Legion Post 38. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Joseph Acardo; mother, Lena Gagliano Acardo; and sister, Mildred Hetrick. Pallbearers will be Richard and Anthony Acardo, Chris and John McCann, Louis Redden Jr. and Lloyd Hetrick. Honorary pallbearers are Frank Stabiler, Joseph Acardo Jr., Presley Hutchinson and Ray Acardo. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Friday, March 12, was from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with the rosary recited at 7 p.m. Visitation at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave., on Saturday, March 13, at 9 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Miles Walsh, celebrant. Interment at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway.