[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H6743-H6744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO CHARLES I. DENECHAUD, JR.
(Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my late father-
in-law, Charles I. Denechaud, Jr., whose life ebbed away last Saturday,
July 24. He was taken from his loved ones after nearly 3 years of a
silent struggle against a stroke that disabled him and in the end
robbed his most precious treasure, the ability to speak to his dear
wife.
His remarkable life in the law and his extraordinary service to his
fellow New Orleaneans, his family, and the Catholic Church was summed
up in a comprehensive account in the New Orleans Times Picayune of
Sunday, July 25, which I submit for the Record. I also include in the
Record at this point the eulogy of my wife, Jean K. Oberstar, my own
remarks. I want to cite the splendid eulogy offered, though not
available in printed version, by Jean's brother-in-law, Tommy Boggs, in
warm and touching tribute to a man whose exemplary ife will inspire all
of us to so live our lives.
Charles I. Denechaud, Jr.
Eulogy of Hon. James L. Oberstar, M.C.
As we left the restaurant a few years ago, I had a clever
idea: ``Us older guys should walk together,'' I said, taking
his arm, ``and you can help steady me, I've got a bad hip.''
Charles quickly saw through the ruse: ``It's hell to get
old, Jim; the first thing to go are
[[Page H6744]]
the legs. Take care of your legs. Now, let me take your arm,
so I don't stumble on something.''
He closed with that warm twinkle in this eyes, and the
gentle, upbeat, pursed smile which is the image I shall
forever harbor and always cherish.
Like my own father, who lived a river's length and a
culture away, Charles Denechaud saw everything, overlooked a
great deal, and forgave much.
As my father did with in-laws, Charles took me in as one of
his own, without reservation, and extended the greatest of
all treasures: the inclusiveness of family love.
It was not my privilege to know, at its peak, his dazzling
legal mind, but I shared, at its best, his unbounded love,
especially for the lady he always endearingly called ``my
bride.''
The Psalmist wrote: ``I will treat him as my first-born
son. I will love him forever, and be kind to him always; my
covenant with him will never end.''
Written of David, Psalm 89 appropriately embraces Charles
I. Denechaud, Jr.
____
Charles I. Denechaud, Jr.
Eulogy of Jean K. Oberstar
Almost three years ago, when my father was in the hospital,
his doctor came into his room and asked, ``Mr. Denechaud,
would you like to pray?'' There was silence for a while and
then my father said, ``My life is a prayer.'' And indeed it
was.
As a child, his likeness was used as a model for one of the
cherubs in the Edward Francis Denechaud stained glass window
here at Holy Name. Perhaps his life was directed toward
goodness from that time forward. After all, how many mortals
are used as models for angels?
Although I don't really think Charlie Denechaud needs
prayers, I ask you to pray for him anyway. I am quite certain
that God will scoop up all the left-overs and given them to
souls who do need them.
One of the measures of Charlie Denechaud is that each of
his five children is quite sure that he or she was his
favorite child. But whoever that person may have been, he or
she takes a dim second place in terms of the love and
devotion he had for his bride.
Mother, you must be so very proud of him and so very proud
to have been his bride. I understand and have great empathy
for your sadness. I share it. We all do. But never forget the
love and pride you have for him--and he, absolutely, for you.
____
[From the New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 25, 1999]
Charles I. Denechaud Jr., Archdiocese Attorney
Charles I. Denechaud Jr., a lawyer who represent the
Archdiocese of New Orleans and a number of other Catholic
institutions in the city, died Saturday at his home. He was
86.
Mr. Denechaud, retired senior partner of Denechaud &
Denechaud, was a lifelong resident of New Orleans.
Mr. Denechaud ``was one of the leading citizens we had in
this community,'' said G. Frank Purvis Jr., a friend for more
than five decades.
``He was a very find lawyer and a very dedicated lawyer,
both to his profession and to his faith,'' said Purvis, the
former chairman of Pan-American Life Insurance Co. in New
Orleans.
The Denechaud family has represented the archdiocese since
1901, beginning with Mr. Denechaud's father, Charles Sr. The
firm also has represented Loyola and Xavier universities, the
Daughters of Charity, Hotel Dieu hospital and Jesuit High
School.
Mr. Denechaud represented WWL television since the
station's inception, and played a crucial role in Loyola
University's acquisition of the station, his son, Charles
III, said.
Mr. Denechaud attended Our Lady of Lourdes school, Jesuit
High School and Loyola University and received an honorary
L.L.D. degree from Xavier University in 1954.
He was a former member of the President's Council of Loyola
University, New Orleans Hospital Council, National
Association of College and University Attorneys, United Negro
College Fund, American Hospital Association, New Orleans
Hospital Council, Louisiana Hospital Association and Catholic
Hospital Association.
He was former member of the board of advisors of WWL and
First National Bank of Commerce in New Orleans and the board
of directors of Chinchuba Deaf Mute Institute, New Orleans
Public Library, Metropolitan Area Committee, National
American Bank, Sisters of the Immaculate Conception,
Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic, and National
Diocesan Attorneys Association.
He was former chairman of Hotel Dieu Board of Advisors, St.
Vincent Infant Asylum Board of Advisors and Our Lady of Holy
Cross College Board of Lay Trustees. He was past president
and director of Blue Cross of Louisiana and Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children, past president of the
Audubon Park Commission and past director of the Marquette
Association for Higher Education, St. Mary's Catholic Orphan
Boys Asylum, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and National
Conference of Christians and Jews.
Mr. Denechaud was a member of the New Orleans Bar
Association and served as its vice president from 1944 to
1945. He was also a member of the Louisiana, American and
Federal Communications Bar Associations.
He was a member of Holy Name Society, St. Thomas More
Catholic Lawyers Association, Alumni Chapter of Beggars
Fraternity, President's Associates of Loyola University, New
Orleans Country Club, Startford Club and Pickwick Club. He
was named Layman of the Year by the Louisiana Hospital
Association in 1969 and Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by
Jesuit High School in 1978 and received affiliation to the
Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in
1981.
In 1947, Pope Pius XII named Mr. Denechaud a Knight of St.
Gregory, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church. He
became a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the
Great in 1958.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Byrne; two sons,
Charles III and Edward B. Denechaud; three daughters, Barbara
Denechaud Boggs of Washington, D.C., Jean Kurth Oberstar of
Washington, D.C. and Deborah Denechaud Slimp of Atlanta; two
sisters, Kathleen D. Charbonnet and Margaret D. Ramsey; 13
grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A Mass will be said Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name of
Jesus Catholic Church, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Visitation will
begin at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Metairie Cemetery. Lake
Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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