Gene Chierici

Eugene (Gene) Chierici, passed away peacefully at his home in Metairie on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the age of 75. Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Mary Lou Powers Chierici; daughters, Rachel (Ross) Trentadue and Brooke (Christopher) McKeown; grandchildren Reid and Owen Trentadue; brothers Philip B. Chierici & Johnny Chierici. He is preceded in death by parents, Concetta and Eugenio Chierici.

Gene was born and raised in New Orleans, where he and his brothers attended St. Louis Cathedral grammar school in the French Quarter. Their family later moved into the same Metairie neighborhood as his aunts, uncles, and cousins on Lake Villa Dr. and formed a close-knit community. As part of the first graduating class of Archbishop Rummel High School in 1966, he was grateful to his Alma Mater and remained active in the Rummel Alumni Association. He then went on to earn his undergraduate and MBA degrees from The University of New Orleans. Gene dedicated many years to a successful career in sales management with NCR Corporation, traveling internationally for the company. He was also employed by Willamette Industries and retired from Weyerhaeuser Corporation.

Gene was quick-witted and loved to tell a good joke; his laugh was unmistakable. Most social gatherings culminated around a table with everyone telling (and re-telling) their favorite stories. Gene had life-long friendships and never missed an opportunity to celebrate his friends’ achievements, support their endeavors, share a holiday lunch, or meet up to watch the Saints. Additionally, he was a member of Metairie Country Club, where he played golf and tennis, and cherished the many friendships he made there. Living near the Metairie parade route, Gene and Mary Lou hosted many parade parties, passing on their love of Mardi Gras to their daughters and grandsons. Gene's Italian heritage was deeply meaningful to him, and he kept in close contact with his father’s family in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

In his retirement, he expanded his hobbies by learning to play piano and joining a pickle ball league. He spent weekends cheering from the sidelines at his grandsons’ games, proudly naming them the "boom brothers". This past March, our family celebrated Brooke & Christopher's marriage with a New Orleans-style wedding in the city Gene loved.

Services are on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will be from 9:00AM to 11:00AM followed by a mass at 11:00AM and interment in Lake Lawn Park.

Thank you to Dr. Suma Satti and her staff at Ochsner Hospital, the Skilled Nursing Facility, and Nurse Toni with Ochsner Home Health for their care and compassion.

Memorial contributions may be made to Archbishop Rummel High School. Please direct your gift to the general fund in memory of Eugene Chierici. Gifts may be made online at GiveRummel.com/memorials or by mail: Archbishop Rummel High School, Department of Development, 1901 Severn Avenue, Metairie, LA 70001.

The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com