John Anthony Cerami

After retiring in 2006, John and his wife, Lynn Poole Cerami, bid adieu to friends and family in Louisiana and headed to north Texas, where they had lived in the ‘80s, to be near their three children and grandchildren. He was a regular parishioner at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Colleyville, Texas.

John was born and raised as a country boy in Bunkie, Louisiana. He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette. While at USL, he met a big city girl from New Orleans – who according to him, were known for dancing “close” – then graduated and married her in 1966. They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this June.

During his senior year in college, John was interviewed and hired by the Insurance Company of North America (INA) of Philadelphia, Pa. for an underwriting position in their New Orleans office – initiating a 46-year career in the insurance industry. With an undeniable work ethic, adept at details and analytics, he proudly progressed up the ranks in positions of increasing responsibility at INA, then Montgomery & Collins and Early American Insurance companies in Ft. Worth, Texas. Eventually, John spent the final 28 years of his professional career working for various divisions of American International Group (AIG) as Senior Vice President, Chief Underwriting Officer and Director of its Audubon Insurance Group in Baton Rouge.

John would tell you that while he came from humble beginnings, he led a good, meaningful life – with intent. He raised a productive and decent family. He was a godfather and favorite “Unc” to many nieces and nephews. He had a talent for carpentry and woodworking, creating customized toolboxes for his boys, a patio addition, a chest of drawers and even a dog feeding station for his grand dogs along the way. If you ever needed someone to research the best car to buy or appliance to purchase and make a fact-based recommendation, superbly presented in a manila folder, John was your guy. And if you were family or “company” and had the good fortune to drop by for a visit, you were met with an appetizer tray, and a “Hey babe, what can I get you to drink?” as he joined you for good conversation with a scotch and water of his own.

The middle child of the late Samuel Peter Cerami and Mary Elizabeth Parrino, both from Bunkie, Louisiana, John was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann Cerami Milligan and beloved granddaughter, Elise Adele Cerami.

He is survived by his sweet wife, Lynn Poole Cerami, his children: Paul Cerami (Lena), David Cerami (Lori), Suzánne Levesque (Greg); four grandchildren: Amanda Gifford (Kevin), Allyson Mitchell (Justin), Bryce Cerami and Aila Cerami; and his great granddaughter Chloe Gifford and her soon-to-be baby sister, Josie. John is also survived by his brother Sam Cerami (Deborah), and sister-in-law Peggy Poole.

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Visitation and eulogy will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Bluebonnet Hills, 5725 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, Texas 76034. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 1000 Tinker Road, Colleyville, Texas.. A private interment will take place in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, if so inclined, the family invites donations to the Swim4Elise foundation. https://swim4elise.com/donate/