LeRoy "Roy" Stern

A retired administrator and teacher with the Ascension Parish School System, he died Tuesday, June 09, 2015 at 2:42 am. A native of Hastings, Minn. and a resident of Gonzales, he was 84. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Visiting will be at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales on Friday, June 12, 2015 from 5 pm until 9 pm. Visitation will resume on Saturday at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, Gonzales from 8:30 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am, Rev. Eric Gyan officiating. Interment to follow in Oak Lane Memorial Park, Prairieville.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Petrolia Stern; daughter, Kerry Stern Songy and husband, Donald of Prairieville; son, Mark Stern and wife, Julia McGee Stern of Zachary; granddaughter, Meg Songy LeBlanc and husband, Adam of Geismar; grandsons, Bryan Songy of New York City, Joseph Stern and wife, Eliza Eaton-Stern of Aurora, CO and Matthew Stern of Zachary; great granddaughters, Elise and Rosie LeBlanc; and brothers, Jerry and Jack Stern of Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald L. Stern and Margaret Kordosky Stern and a brother, Donald Stern.

Roy received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and his master’s degree from LSU where he was a Phi Delta Kappa member. He taught English and Journalism at East Ascension High; was named the first principal of the new St. Amant High School; and was appointed the Director of Secondary Education, a position he held until his retirement. He was also a member of the City of Gonzales Marketing Team; past member of the Gonzales Rotary Club and an honorary Knights of Columbus member.

The family would like to express their deep thanks to Dr. M. Patrick Stagg, II, the staff of the Cancer Treatment Center of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, and the Carpenter House for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Ascension Fund, 39427 Lakeland Ave., Prairieville, LA 70769. Donations will create a perpetual grant for educators in his name.