Louis Benedict Gaudin

Louis Benedict Gaudin died peacefully at his home on June 25, 2016. He was born in New Orleans on August 3, 1934, the last of eight children of Leo and Kate Gaudin, grew up in Lakeview, and graduated from St. Aloysius in 1952. He attended Loyola University for two years, then graduated from LSU in 1956 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering as a member of Pi Tau Sigma. He went to work for Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee as a member of their graduate training course and then joined its sales training program which included tours in Boston, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. In 1957, Louis was drafted into the Army and served in the Reserves for several years until his honorable discharge.It was in Cincinnati that he met the red-headed love of his life, Frances Rayburn, and they were married in 1958. Louis continued as a Sales Engineer for Allis Chalmers, in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge, until 1969 when he founded Gaudin Equipment and Supply Company as an Allis Chalmers pump distributor.In 1980, Louis and Fran co-founded G Squared Engineered Products, a manufacturers' representative selling pumps, fans and specialty process equipment to the chemical plants and refineries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. They worked together every day until their retirement, although they continued to visit the office daily to "deliver the mail" and visit with their children who now run the company. Louis was very proud he was a Professional Engineer, P. E., and enjoyed dealing with many other engineers and professional people in the chemical process industry. Louis was an active member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, serving on their School Board, Parish Council and Finance Committee. He was also a Perpetual Founder of Catholic High School. Louis and Fran loved to travel, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, England, Scotland, Italy, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, France, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, and the Holy Land. They also completed over 30 cruises.

Louis is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances Rayburn Gaudin, his five children and their spouses, Richard Gaudin, P.E., and wife Stephanie, L. Ben Gaudin, II, MD and wife Debra, and Stephen Gaudin and wife Anne Marie, all of Baton Rouge, Florence Brennan and husband Edward of Kingwood, TX, and Douglas Gaudin, P.E., and wife Ellen of Ft. Worth, TX. Louis was especially proud of his grandchildren, Abigail and Austin Gaudin, Joshua Simonds and fiancé Maria and Andrew Simonds, Edward and Catherine Brennan, Louis B. III “Trey”, Alexandra and Joseph Gaudin, Jessica Bell, and Ryan, Kendall and Stephen Gaudin, and great-grandchild, Kyelynn Johnson. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Memi, Catty, Emma Lou, Leo, Bill, Jim and Brother Adrian Gaudin, S.C., and also by two grandchildren, Morgan Johnson and Sean Michael Gaudin. Pallbearers will be Joshua and Andrew Simonds, Edward Brennan, Austin Gaudin, Trey and Joseph Gaudin, and Ryan and Stephen Gaudin. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 from 5pm-8pm with the rosary led by The Knights of Columbus beginning at 7pm. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd beginning at 10am until Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12pm. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Condolences are welcome at www.greenoaksfuenrals.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic High School.