God gave us Andre' on December 29, 1976. He returned to his heavenly home on November 15, 2019. Andre' died from a rare form of brain cancer, Gliomatosis cerebri. For four years he lived bravely with this disease, sometimes in great physical pain. He found the strength to do so with the support and prayers of his family and incredible friends. Throughout his illness he would tell them “I am so lucky.” He could say this because he felt their love.
Andre' grew up in a noisy, competitive, fun-filled home with his parents, four brothers and two sisters. “He was the kindness, smartest, most athletic, tallest, and had the most friends of anyone in the family” according to his brother, John. Another brother noted John did not add “most handsome,” perhaps reserving that title for himself. From an early age Andre' excelled in all kinds of sports; playing football, baseball, track or soccer at the schools he attended: St. Thomas More; Catholic High; and LSU, where he was voted MVP when the soccer team won the national championship. He formed lasting friendships with the Baton Rouge United Soccer Club, under Coach Knighton. Coaches Marc Fournet, Roy Boiteaux and Ed Hardin were also favorites of his. Andre’s love of sports extended to a passion for supporting his nephews’ later successes in soccer, hockey, lacrosse, swimming and baseball.
Andre' loved to spend time fishing in Dulac, watching Premiere soccer, taking visitors to see “the beautiful trees” in Mandeville, having a beer at the Old Rail, walking the Trace, going to the Dew Drop, shopping at the Farmers Market, and playing the piano. A week before his last seizure his family took him to see Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott at the Chickie Wah Wah, (two of his favorite local musicians at one of his favorite venues). Through Andre’s influence, family and friends have become fans of James Booker, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, and Allen Toussaint. We will long remember “Alexa…, play WWOZ.”
Andre had a successful career in money management, starting with Janus Funds in Denver. He then worked with his close friend and mentor, Claire C. Friedrichs, at Smith Barney, Merrill Lynch and Raymond James.
Andre' is survived by his parents, Jean and Pam Dugas; brothers Michael (Susu), John (Stephanie), Marc (Leigh Ann) and Ben (Jessica) Dugas; sisters Karen Haller (Gary) Gurtcheff and Kathryn (Jay) Podorsky; 19 nephews and nieces: Ted, Evan, Brennan, “Lil” Andre, Lawson, Allen, Bennett, Marilis, Sofia, Reyna, Addison and Hazel Dugas; Jean, Jaim and Jack Haller; Audrey (Stephen) Montgomery; Stephen and Robbie (Chelsea) Podorsky; Mary (Matthew) Avrill; and 1 great-nephew, Camden Avrill. He is also survived by his “other brothers,” Sascha Schnur and Mike Montalbano, as well as his loving aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Miriam and Allen Dugas, Tommy and (Andre’s friends’ favorite) Stella Martin, and by his brother-in-law Michael Haller.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care he received from the staff at the NIH, in Bethesda MD, Dr. Jon Olson in Baton Rouge, The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 5th floor OLOL, and The Crossing. Andre was very proud to be part of a study at the NIH that would further help the understanding and treatment of his type of cancer.
Andre' also very strongly supported the work of the New Orleans Medical Mission Services (NOMMS). His family appreciates any donations in his name to this charity. The address is P.O. Box 6249, New Orleans, LA. 70174.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019 from 9:00 am until the funeral mass at 12:00 pm at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Prairieville.
His bright smile, generosity, courage and kindness will live on in our lives.
“Always, in all ways” we love you Andre.
If you would like to offer the family condolences, please sign the online guestbook at www.oursofh.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18