Marion Ferdinand Hess, Sr.

Marion Ferdinand Hess, Sr., born on Friday, May 13,1927, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the age of 98, into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ. He passed away at Ochsner Main Campus from Bacterial Pneumonia. He fought 2 other pneumonias also before being diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. He fought for 24 days at Ochsner Hospital Main Campus before his life ended. Marion was exposed to asbestos over 45 years ago when he was employed by Avondale Shipyard that soon developed into calcified asbestos.

He was married to his devoted love of his life, Jean Catherine Meliet Hess, for over 78 years on Saturday, September 20th, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the day after a hurricane landed in New Orleans and they had to have a candlelight ceremony because there was no electricity. Marion and Jean were recognized by the Governor of Louisiana for being the second oldest married couple in the state of Louisiana as of January first.

Marion was an American Veteran Patriot who served proudly in the United States Army 610 Engineers in Stuttgart, Germany during World War II. Marion was a fighter from the day he was born. He told his mother he wanted to enlist in the war when he was 17 because he lost a cousin and he believed in himself and America. While in the service, he boxed competitively for the Army team and enjoyed the camaraderie among his fellow soldiers. He never forgot his dog, Lucky, he had to leave behind in Germany after the war; Lucky was very dear to his heart. When the war ended, he returned to New Orleans, and that’s when he met Jean.

On an outing to the D-Day Museum, accompanied by his teenage great grandchildren years ago, together they viewed the movie "The Greatest Generation." His great-grandchildren were so touched by the movie that they called their great-grandfather their Hero.

He loved the outdoor life fishing, crabbing, hunting, and enjoyed watching horse racing at the New Orleans Fairgrounds with his only son, Marion Ferdinand Hess Jr. They shared a box at New Orleans Fairgrounds together for many years, and they really loved being together and had many great memorable days together. They also spent many years hunting and fishing together at their lake house on Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. Marion Jr's fiancée, Viviana Mongiat, loved cooking Marion's favorite seafood dishes on the weekends. She enjoyed many years of boiling fresh caught blue crab with the family at their lake house on Lake Pontchartrain.

Marion’s oldest daughter, Deanna Maria Hess Harvey, shared many days fishing on Bayou St John with Marion, and he taught her how to box, row a boat, catch, clean and fry fish, and how to eat a boiled crab, especially the claws, pitch a baseball, and read a racing form at the Fair Grounds race track. If you want to immortalize yourself, teach a child a lesson. All these skills are special and maintains a bond that jogs a warm memory of love shared with Marion and Deanna. They lived on Moss Street and Deanna loved when Marion came home from work so they could go fishing on Bayou St. John and also in City Park. Whenever she visited Marion and Jean at home and it was time to say goodbye, she would always tell Marion “Auf Wiedersehen” which means “Goodbye, Until We Meet Again” in German

Marion’s oldest granddaughter, Ann Marie Castelluccio Thomas remembers Paw Paw calling her Anna Maria and taking her to City Park to feed the ducks when she was a little girl. Marion’s only grandson, Brett Hess, remembers Paw Paw taking him to the lake house and taking Brett on boat rides in Lake Pontchartrain and eating fried fish together. Marion’s second granddaughter, Bridgett Hess, remembers Paw Paw showing her his vegetable garden and teaching her when the vegetables were ripped and ready to be picked. All three grandchildren remember Paw Paw building a Parade Ladder Child Seat for them to sit on safely so they can watch the New Orleans Parades on St Charles Avenue together with the whole family and cousins every Mardi Gras Day.

Marion and his wife, Jean, loved to dance, and they looked forward to spending their weekends at their house on Lake Pontchartrain until Katrina swept his beloved lake house away in August 2005. They were each other’s best friend from the day they met. Marion’s favorite saying to Jean for many years before he passed away was “Good Morning Mrs. Jean, I love you with all of my heart”

Marion’s youngest daughter, Melissa Ann Hess Daou, loved and lived to take care of her father until his last breath. Melissa always included her father and mother to every birthday and holiday celebration for Deanna, Marion Jr, Jean, and Marion Sr. They never missed a celebration to enjoy together, so everyone could be together and always remember those special days at New Orleans Country Club. It was always a big treat for Marion to celebrate birthday dinners at his favorite restaurant, Charlie's Seafood, and he loved their char broiled oysters. Melissa loved caring for Marion and Jean and she looked forward every day to speak to them wherever she was in the world every morning and night. It brightened her day to know Marion was happy, healthy, and smiling. Melissa’s husband, Georges, supported Melissa’s love for Marion and he loved, accepted, and understood her commitment to her parents from the beginning. We have been incredibly blessed to have Marion in our life for so many wonderful, fun years together as a family. Marion had the most beautiful blue-indigo eyes that were filled with love. "Our father belonged to the Greatest Generation, and my sister, brother, and I are proud to honor his legacy."

Marion retired after 38 years employed as a foreman at Avondale Shipyards, proudly building military ships for the Navy fleet.

Marion and Jean were the last Blue Crab Parade King & Queen in February 2005, he was a volunteer at the New Orleans D-Day Museum, Honored as World War II Veteran, and he won many fishing rodeo awards. Marion was always there when his neighbors, friends, family, and neighborhood asked for help. He lived with a smile and never had an enemy. He lived a life with integrity and loyalty to his family, friends, and God. Most importantly, he loved unconditionally and thought more about the wellbeing of others than himself. He was a happy, unique, special, courageous gentleman who will be missed forever.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Catherine Meliet Hess; children, Deanna Maria Hess Harvey, Marion Ferdinand Hess, Jr. (Viviana Mongiat), and Melissa Ann Hess Daou (Georges Daou); grandchildren, Ann Marie Castelluccio Thomas (Brian Thomas), Brett Marion Hess, and Bridgett Ann Hess; and great-grandchildren, Alex Thomas (Kristen Tholen), Jenna Thomas, Connor Thomas, and Cara Thomas.

Marion was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Ernest Harvey, Jr., who Marion loved and admired. Marion’s parents were George G. Hess and Elizabeth Amelia Ricks Hess, both of German heritage. Marion’s father George passed away when Marion was 3 years old and now they are united.

Marion was the youngest of 9 siblings: William Hess (Nora), Julia Hess Leitz (Clarence), Anna Hess Wickboldt (Frank), Mary Hess Ackermann (Joseph), Joesph Hess, George Hess (Shirley), Janet Hess Kern (Mathias), Helen Hess Hanley (John), and Irma Hess Hartman (Raymond).

Marion has many wonderful, loving, and caring nieces and nephews he loved and adored and who loved, adored, and cherished Marion.

We would to thank Marion’s wonderful, loving, thoughtful caregivers who never ever left his side, especially Allan Canales, Regina Rodriguez Howe, Becky Beklin Espinoza, Junieth Mancebo, and Alejandro Majano.

Relatives and friends are invited to the services on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Grace Lutheran Church, 5800 Canal Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Military Burial Honors will follow between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. at All Saints Mausoleum, which is within Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. A Celebration of Life reception will begin from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Metairie Country Club, 580 Woodvine Avenue Metairie, LA 70005. Marion loved and was honored to be a World War 2 Veteran, if you would like to donate to The

New Orleans National WWII Museum, please donate here: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/give. Additional donations in honor of Marion's life can be sent to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sl=donate-now&sc_dcm=137187318174&sc_cid=kwp&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1291300&ds_rl=1285465&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17681679263&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzLUQPnnHHjNxyz8MteAWgzLmKaaY7qCQ9XDaainaKjdH8SnOP3E5RUaAvv8EALw_wcB

Here are some interesting stories Marion was featured in:

https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/after-75-years-metairie-pair-remember-when-they-said-i-do/article_b4bb2994-69e2-11ed-9c94-9f243d7d922c.amp.html

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2022/11/longevity-in-life-and-love?srsltid=AfmBOorLPkBBA7BnI3P0M8Qjn6o1XZUL_YxvHBWAWXjkEUqhZTAkcOKl