He was born October 3, 1927 in Oak Grove. Whitney loved life, his family and his community. He was a long time resident of Grand Chenier where he was actively involved in Farm Bureau (Past Cameron Parish President, La Board of Directors), JP Boudoin Sr Council #3014 Knight of Columbus (Past Grand Knight), Msgr Cramers Assembly Council #1207 4th Degree Knights, Mosquito Control Board (over 30 years, Past President), Cattlemen Association, VFW, American Legion, and St. Eugene Catholic Church (Council Board). He was a WWII Army Veteran where he served in the Philippines as part of the 2868th Engineering Utility Detachment. He was recently featured as a “Hometown Hero Patriot” on KPLC. For many years he worked in the oil industry and in 1967 he went to work at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge until his retirement in 1993, where he was instrumental in transporting the endangered brown pelican from Florida to Louisiana costal area.
After retirement, he was able to devote more time to the joys of his life: cooking for community and family gatherings where his barbecue and rice dressing became legendary, growing vegetables and raising chickens and ducks, and sharing his bounty with friends and neighbors who seldom departed without a bag of vegetables or a dozen eggs. Whitney was also known for his great sense of humor and could be quite the prankster. He took great joy in cooking for his family and for others, especially his rice dressing.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Lorine Sturlese Baccigalopi. His surviving children include his sons Adam Gooch Baccigalopi and wife Cathy of Manvel, Tx; Robert Emile Baccigalopi and wife Frances of Houston, Tx.; JC Baccigalopi and wife Nancy of Grand Chenier, La; daughters Dorothy Louise Falkenberg and husband Henri of Liege, Belguim; Mary Katherine Basco and husband Francis of Creole, La; Elougia Laurana Myers and husband Billy of Youngsville, La; Joyce Ann Baccigalopi of Lake Charles, La; Tina Marie Baccigalopi of Lake Charles, La. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Scott Baccigalopi, Stephanie Baccigalopi Wilds, Dodie Baccigalopi Resendez, Angel Baccigalopi Lozano, Skeeter Baccigalopi, Jeremie Falkenberg, Noemi Falkenberg, Dr. Angela Guidry, Nickie Guidry Blakley, Obra Baccigalopi, Kristin Baccigalopi Saltzman, Karrie Baccigalopi, Lanette Baccigalopi Prejean, Alecia Myers, Corey Myers, Megan Hiatt, and Morgan Hiatt and 17 great-grandchildren: Corynne Baccigalopi; John, Benjamin, and Kate Wilds; Robert and Riley Resendez; Sophia, Joshua, and Matthew Lozano; Dalton Guidry; Ryan and Ethan Blakley; Colton, Amberlee, and Aiden Saltzman; Trystanlee Baccigalopi; Lillyan Baccigalopi; and Harlie Hiatt. He is preceded in death by his parents Clopha and Louise Baccigalopi; siblings Anna Mae Miller, Lydia Guillory, Joseph Baccigalopi, Marie Bertrand; and Sidney Baccigalopi; and an infant son.
His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at St. Eugene Catholic Church in Grand Chenier. Rev. Richard Uche will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Sweet Lake Grand Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
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