Armand Joseph Brinkhaus

1935 - 2017

Armand Joseph Brinkhaus obituary, 1935-2017, Opelousas, LA

BORN

1935

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Sibille Funeral Home

2309 George Drive

Opelousas, Louisiana

Armand Brinkhaus Obituary

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2017, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, for Armand Joseph Brinkhaus, 81, who died Sunday, February 12, at Lafayette General Medical Center after a short illness. Fr. Steve Kimmons, S.J. will be the celebrant of the Mass. Readers will be his nieces Deirdre Brinkhaus Polanco and Karla Brinkhaus Brown. Music will be provided by Greg Martinez, vocalist, and Karen Broussard, organist. Pallbearers will be his nine grandsons. Burial will be in the St. Charles Church Cemetery in Grand Coteau. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Sibille Funeral Home, 2309 George Drive, Opelousas, LA, Thursday, February 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Grand Coteau, Friday, February 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (time of services). The funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Bellemin Brinkhaus; his children and their spouses, Michelle (Steve Prudhomme) of Louisa, Virginia, Armand, Jr. of Sunset, LA, Celeste (Troy Hebert) of Lafayette, LA, Julia (Tracy Landry) of LaPlace, LA, Andre (Denise) of Cankton, LA, Renee of Gonzales, LA, and Marguerite of Metairie, LA; thirteen grandchildren, Micah, Samantha, Rachel, Lee, Jacob, TJ, Julian, Ali, Gabriel, Mikey, Brandon, Brittany and Bradley; and nine great-grandchildren with two more on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Anna Jane Gaiennie Miller; his sisters-in-law, Diane P. Brinkhaus and Cynthia Bellemin; and his brothers-in-law, John L. Olivier, Leroy (Blue) Bellemin and Michael Bellemin. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Armand L. and Julia Thoms Brinkhaus; his brothers, William A. Brinkhaus and Allan L. Brinkhaus; his sister, Julie B. Olivier; his sister-in-law, Loretta T. Brinkhaus; his brothers-in-law, Richard M. Gaiennie and Roderick Miller; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Louise P. Bellemin. Armand was born November 7, 1935 in Sunset, Louisiana. He graduated from Sunset High School, University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana Lafayette), and received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in New Orleans. He was the first law clerk at the Third Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles, Louisiana, serving under Judges Al Tate and Cleveland Fruge. He practiced law with Judge Kaliste Saloom in Lafayette, Louisiana, then became a partner in the law firm of Olivier and Brinkhaus in Sunset, where he practiced law until his death. He was elected to the Louisiana State House of Representatives (1968 to 1976), then to the Louisiana State Senate (1976 to 1996). He was a member of the board of directors of St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank and a board member and board chairman of the South St. Landry Community Library. His professional memberships included the St. Landry Parish, Louisiana and American Bar Associations, the Louisiana Association of Justice, American Judicature Society, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He was a member of the Fourth-Degree Knights of Columbus and the Elks Club. Among the accomplishments he was most proud of were serving as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Chairman of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, a member of the Finance and Senate Judiciary C Committees, a member of the Legislative Appropriations and Senate Executive Committees, and a member of the House Appropriations, House Executive, and House and Governmental Affairs Committees. Over the course of his legal and legislative career, Armand was recognized with many awards. Among them were distinguished service awards from the St. Landry Parish Farm Bureau and the Handicapped and Exceptional Children of Louisiana; the Louisiana Pharmacy Association, Louisiana Restaurant Association, Louisiana and National Association of Educators, and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. He was deeply appreciative of these honors. He was especially proud to receive the L'Association Internationale des Parliamentaries de Langue Francaise L'Ordre de la Pleiade for distinguished dedication to the development of the French language and the preservation of the francophone culture in Louisiana. He received the USL Alumni Association Outstanding Legislative Support Award, the Sunset Area Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award, and a certificate of appreciation for dedication and contribution to the history of the Third Circuit Court of Appeal. He created the Dr. Armand L. and Julia Thoms Brinkhaus Fund to benefit Dupre Library at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now ULL) in Lafayette, which was the first contribution dedicated solely and specifically to Dupre Library. Armand touched so many lives over the years in ways that will never be known except by the recipients of his kindness. He was always fair and loyal, and he always tried to do what was right, even if it was not the popular thing to do. He has been described as a true statesman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church Building Fund (for repair of the bell tower built in 1886 by Brother Joseph Armand Brinkhaus, S.J.), P. O. Drawer A, Grand Coteau, LA 70541. Sibille Funeral Homes, Opelousas, Louisiana, is in charge of all arrangements. www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.

Published by The Advocate from Feb. 14 to Feb. 17, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
for Armand Brinkhaus

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My condolences to the bereaved family and friends. May you rejoice in the Most High, who is our helper, especially in times like this. (Psalm 70:4, 5)

February 18, 2017

Very sorry for your loss Mrs Brinkhaus.

Bonnie W.'s daughter

February 17, 2017

Dear Margaret and All of Armand's Family,
I was saddened to hear of Armand's death. Our families go back a long way together. I so often think of all the wonderful people I knew growing up in Louisiana.
I send my love and prayers to EACH of you. May Armand rest in God's PEACE.
Gay Lavergne Noack
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

February 17, 2017

Sorry to hear of Mr. Brinkhaus's passing. My prayers are with his family.

Paul Olivier

February 17, 2017

May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this sad and difficult time. Psalms 116:50,76.

AC

February 17, 2017

A true giant in heart and spirit.

Charles Tate

February 17, 2017

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Armand's passing. He was a good man and friend to our family. Prayers for all of you in your time of grieving.

Julie LaLonde Robinson

February 16, 2017

Margaret, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry.

Debby Harper Tadlock

February 16, 2017

To the Brinkhaus Family. I am so sorry to hear of Mr Armand passing. I can remember all the good times that we had in Grand Isle. My prayers and thoughts are with each of you.

Rosanne Poche

R Poche

February 16, 2017

Margaret and family, I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. My prayers are with you all.

Rozie LaPorte

February 16, 2017

Ms Margaret, Iam very sadden to hear of the death of Mr. Armand. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

Fran Jarreau

February 16, 2017

I am saddened by the loss of such a treasure, as was Armand. I regret tha I am out of the country at this time, but my thoughts and prayers are with you at this moment. God Bless this friend and statesman.

Charlie Melancon

February 16, 2017

It Saddens Me, Losing My People..... They Are The Link To All My Yesterdays. You Are With The Best People I Ever Knew. Watch Over Us Armand...... And Give Out A Lot Of Hugs. You Will Be Missed, Rest In Peace Sir.

R.S. Guillet

February 16, 2017

I am so sorry to hear of Armand's passing. He was one of the finest people I have ever known in government. I served in the House for eight years while Armand was in the Senate.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Murray Hebert
[email protected]

Murray Hebert

February 15, 2017

WHEN I SAW AND THEN READ ARMAND'S OBITUARY, TIME SEEMED BUT A MINUTE LONG AS MY MIND FLED DOWN THE YEARS TO A TIME WHEN AS A CHILD I VISITED MS. JULIA WITH MY GRANDPARENTS, MR. & MRS. SIMON LEVY! MS. JULIA MUST HAVE BEEN SO VERY PROUD OF HER SON AND THE LIFE TIME HE SPENT ON THIS EARTH. THEIR REUNION MUST HAVE BEEN SO WONDERFUL FOR BOTH! MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE FOR YOU HIS FAMILY INCLUDING ANNA JANE, MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND.

CAROLYN LEVY

February 15, 2017

I am so sorry for your loss. Although I am out of town, my prayers will be with all of you as you go though this sad time.

Gayle Bellemin Cohen

February 15, 2017

I have worked in Louisiana politics and government for over 30 years. Truly one of the highlights of my career was getting to know Sen. Brinkhaus. He was kind, fair, compassionate and super smart. He understood the value of public service and always put the people first. God Bless him and his family.

Jim Nickel

February 15, 2017

Our heartfelt condolence and deepest sympathies to Armand's family, friends and love ones at the passing of their beloved Armand Brinkhaus. It was an honor and pleasure for us to have known him during our lifetime. He will truly be missed by all that he has touched during his lifetime.

Jerry & Marie Quebedeauz

Jerry Quebedeaux

February 15, 2017

My condolences to all the family. I am praying for you in this time of loss.
Julie Fontenot Landry

Julie Landry

February 15, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with this wonderful family at this sad time. I had the honor of serving with Armand in the legislature and admired his hard work and service to our great state. My prayer is that your family will take comfort in knowing there are friends thinking about you during this time. Francis Thompson, State Senator, Louisiana.

Francis Thompson

February 15, 2017

Mary, Liz, John Matthew and I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers of celebration to Ms. Margaret and the entire Brinkhaus family. We were so very fortunate to have been a part of Armand's community and receive the friendship and genuine love that he and his family gave so openly and without reservation. Armand truly represents all that is kind, generous, and considerate in life, and it can be said that he was always an exemplary leader in "doing the right thing" no matter the circumstance or setting. Our faith leads us to believe that he is in eternal peace with those of his family who have preceded him to Heaven, and there will be "No more worry, tears or fear ..... eternal joy and peace are here". With all of our love, respect and fondest memories - John Stockstill and family

February 15, 2017

Sad day...just learned that Armand Brinkhaus passed away Sunday. My little family & I had the privilege of knowing this great man while I worked for him & his law firm in Sunset, LA. Louisiana Senator for 20 years. Kicking lung cancer's butt in the 90s. Stories & a history buff like you can't imagine! So smart. So witty. So silly. I can hear his chuckle in my head as I type this. He always took a special interest in my eldest son, Gavin, chatting with him daily in the office kitchen, sharing snacks with him. He always had time to chat with anyone, anywhere. Even pose for impromptu photos. You will be missed, Armand. I remember when you were inducted into the Living Legacies a few years ago, and that you were. I just can't believe that the light that was you has now been dimmed forever in this life. Godspeed, good man. My heart is right there w/ y'all, Olivier & Brinkhaus family. I love y'all so!

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon him.

Miranda Domec

February 14, 2017

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