Craig Paul Taffaro Sr.

Craig Paul Taffaro Sr. (77), resident of Slidell since Hurricane Katrina and a long time resident of St. Bernard Parish, was called home to the Lord on August 25th, 2023. He unexpectedly suffered a heart attack. Craig was the epitome of a Christian man and filled his call as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather with Christ-like self-giving. His love and generosity was a beacon of light to all he encountered, from his family to his closest friends in the Good Timer’s Carnival Club to his fellow employees and parishioners to anyone in need.

Craig was born on May 26, 1946 to Anthony and Elsie Taffaro and grew up in the St. Roch and Gentilly areas of New Orleans. He was baptized at Our Lady Star of the Sea and enjoyed a lively experience at St. Leo the Great Elementary School, where he received his first communion. He married his first love, June Peters, at Incarnate Word in 1963 and never looked back. He is survived by his wife, June and their three children, Tammy Fetzer (Marc, fiance), Dcn. Craig, Jr. (Debbie), and Tony (Frankie). He is survived by siblings Lee Taffaro (Sharon) and Lydia Marino (Sam). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Meghan McMullin (Jeremy), Jobie Jacomine, Joel Jacomine (Audrey), Craig Taffaro, III (Abigail), Emma Reaney (Brian Reaney, II), Tanner Jacomine, Grace Taffaro, Paolo Taffaro, S.J., Annie Taffaro, Mollie Taffaro, Luca Taffaro (Gabrielle, fiance), Antonio Taffaro, and Rocco Taffaro, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Craig and June recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in July 2023. Craig and June were members of St. Luke Catholic Church in Slidell. Before moving to Slidell, Craig was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Chalmette. He was in ministry as an Extraordinary Minister for more than two decades with his most cherished experience being the coordinator of the St. Luke parish hospital ministers.

Craig was a long time volunteer coach and board member at Versailles Park and 4th Ward /Rebel Park Playground in St. Bernard Parish, roles that he often shared with his wife June. He shared a deep passion with the love of his life in following their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in their academic, sports, dancing, musical, and vacation interests. Two of their great joys were Grammy and Paw-Paw’s annual Christmas Cookie Party and Easter Egg hunt, traditions that spanned for more than 30 years. Craig’s passion for his faith, music, woodworking, art, and drawing has found its way into many of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s lives.

Craig was a longtime employee of The Albach Company and Buck Kreihs Company where he was the foreman of the Boiler Shop and outside Project Manager.

He will be greatly missed until we meet him again.

The family would like to thank the first responders from the Slidell Fire Department, Acadian Ambulance, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department, the Emergency Department Staff and Dr. Jennifer Alleyn at Slidell Memorial Hospital, and neighbor Kenny Perronne for their efforts in responding to Craig. May God Bless and keep them all.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 29th at St. Luke’s Church, Slidell, La. from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, with the recitation of the rosary at 8:40 pm and Wednesday, August 30th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to begin at 12 noon. The family invites friends and family to celebrate Craig’s life at the Repast, immediately following mass at St. Luke’s Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, www.mdanderson.org or St. Jude’s Children Hospital, www.stjude.org.