Donald Thomas Bock, born September 22, 1935 passed away peacefully in his home on September 14, 2020, at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Walter Richard Bock, Sr., and Hazel Agnes Brady Bock, son, Donald Thomas Bock Jr., and brothers, Walter Richard Bock, Jr., Robert Raymond Bock (Mary Rose), and Brother Melville Edward Bock, F.S.C. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Celestine Johnson Bock, and four loving children, Anita Tusa Freeman (Johnny), Joseph Francis Tusa (Toni), Jocel Tusa Ravannack (Jim), and Thomas Becket Bock. Donald was blessed with eight grandchildren, Lance Freeman (Kelli), Rhett Freeman (Christina), Chad Ravannack (Brittany), Claire Ravannack, Tiffany Tusa Dufour (Michael) Danielle Tusa Keller (Jacob), Alex Bock, and Logan Bock. His blessings continued with 11 great grandchildren, Ainsley, Brynn, Braelynn, Rhett Jr., Harper, Lucy, Catherine, Madison, Caroline, James, and Eleanor. He will be greatly missed by his many nieces, nephews, extended family, and long time friends. As a Veteran of the Korean War, Donald lived with Semper Fortis spirit. Serving our country in the United States Navy was one of his proudest honors. His dedication to service continued when he joined the New Orleans Fire Department in 1960. His discipline as a firefighter and leadership as an officer helped protect our city until his retirement as the Planning Officer in 1988. Soon after his first retirement he was hired by the Jefferson Parish Fire Department as an Administrative Assistant. He was appointed as the Superintendent of the Jefferson Parish Fire Dept. and after 12 years of dedicated service he retired once more. In addition to his fire service he worked as a H & R Block tax preparer for over 20 years. Donald loved volunteering. He was a proud member and President of many organizations including, Life Member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Life Member and Past President of the South West Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Treasurer, Life Member, and Past President of the Louisiana Fire Chief’s Association, Life Member, Parliamentarian, and Past President of the Louisiana State Firemen’s Association, Board Member, Past Treasurer, and Original Chairman of the Credit Committee of the Louisiana Corporate Credit Union, Past Board Member and Member of the Insurance Committee of the Louisiana Credit Union League, Life Member and Past President of the Veterans Firefighter’s Association of New Orleans, Original Founder and Treasurer of the Louisiana First Responders Christian Association, and President and Board Member of the New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union, where he was recently chosen as Volunteer of the Year by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions. One of Donald’s greatest joys was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and drinking green beer. He served as President, Captain, and Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Parade of Jefferson on Metairie Road. Donald was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary Magdalen Parish where he served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and was involved in many of the parish’s service organizations including, Past Member of the Parish Pastoral Council, Member of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee, Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5301, and Member of the Men's Club. Member of the Elks Club of New Orleans, Member of the Moose Club of New Orleans, Member and Past Board Member and Chairman of the Board for the East Jefferson Italian American Society, Past Member of American Legion Post 175, and Member of American Legion Post 307. Donald lived his life with dignity, honor, integrity, and meaning. His character will always serve as a shining example to those who knew him. On September 22, 2020, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 6425 W. Metairie Avenue, Metairie, LA. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, with Mass starting at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes Masses offered in Donald’s name or donations to The Louisiana First Responders Christian Association, 4530 Moss Street, Lafayette, LA 70507, Attention: Scholarship Fund. The family of Donald would like to say THANK YOU, to the Nurses, Lacey, Victoria, and Greg, his Aide, Martha, his Social Worker, Amanda, Chaplain Zeal, and the rest of the Staff of ANVOI Compassionate Hospice Care, for their 24/7 attention to all of Donald's needs and his family's many concerns. Thank you also, to the Pharmacists and delivery services that provided his medications at all hours of the night. We certainly couldn't have gotten through this journey without all of you...his "Guardian Angels."
Happy Heavenly Birthday Poppa, you are missed so much already!
Please sign the online guest book available at: www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com
*Due to the Jefferson Parish and State mandates, masks are required.*
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