Norman Anthony Plaisance, Sr.

Norman Antoine Plaisance, recently of New Orleans, was born on March 29, 1924 in a trapper’s camp on Bayou Des Amoreux, in Lafourche Parish, to Pauline Thérèse Aguillard and Etienne Plaisance. He was number seven of 16 children. His siblings were Avid, Etienne, Eddie, Mathilde, Mary, Raymond, Octave, Antoine, Clothilde, Rose, Ethel, Gabriel, Gillis, Simon, and Albina, 12 of whom lived into adulthood.

Norman began his life in a French-speaking world, working in the fields, canning, fishing, and oystering. He learned English when he went to school, and improved it in the CCC Camp and the Marine Corps. After his honorable discharge in 1943, he served the war effort by installing Plexiglas domes in aircraft at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, and by welding at Kaiser Shipbuilding, in Vancouver, Washington and at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard.

He was a trapper when he married Alsace (Alice) Mary Pitre on December 15, 1946. They were married for 47 years, and had 2 children, Karen Dale Potter (Frederick C. Auzston) and Norman Anthony Jr. He is survived by his Sister Rose Lee, his son Tony (Barbara Ann Chabert then Catherine Mobley), grandson, John Plaisance (Nicole), great-grandchildren (children of John and Doddie Plaisance)- Harley (Louis Bourg), Caleb (Amie) Plaisance, Justin (Kayla) Plaisance, Alexis (Andrew Siefker)- and grandson Anthony Plaisance (Pavadee) and great-grandson Luke Plaisance. He also has great-great-grandchildren, Olivia, Liam and Owen Bourg, and Elijah Plaisance, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews on the Pitre and Plaisance sides.

He lived for 72 years in his house on Highway 1 in Galliano, a house he had built with his brothers and 5 tools, until he lost it in Hurricane Ida. He was an avid gardener and beekeeper, and fed his extended family. He used his garden tractor to pull Mardi-Gras floats too. In Galliano, he was a member of the American Legion, The Holy Name Society at St. Joseph, the Knights of Columbus, the Little Flower of Theresa, the Green Head Club, and the Civil Air Patrol at Alvin Callender field, in Belle Chase. Norman worked for Hughes Equipment, and also 12 years for Schlumberger. Over the years, he worked as a roughneck, a crew boat captain, and in maintenance and construction. At Schlumberger, he was the only known survivor of a supergun explosion. He also operated a gas station and auto repair shop in Galliano. In 1974 he built his 54-foot cypress trawler, the Mr. Norman, in his front yard, and became a shrimp boat captain for 25 years. During his life in New Orleans, he participated in many commemoratory events at the National WWII Museum, and in activities at Union Française such as Cajun Jams and Culinary Classes. He was a member of Causeries du Lundi de la Nouvelle Orléans. He spoke French, Patois, and English. He enjoyed parties, casinos (where he hoped to meet people from all over the world), the International Workboat Show, and being with family and friends (especially Ervin Bourg). His dream was to return to his home in Galliano and have all his nieces, nephews and friends drop in. His formula for happiness in his very old age was to pray, keep a smile on his face and take “one day at a time.” Every night he said “Bonsoir et à demain, si BonDieu le veut.” He also looked forward to seeing Mama again, and Dieu decided it was time for that. Norman left us on September 2, 2025.

A Wake will be held on Monday September 15, from 5 to 8 pm at Falgout Galliano-Cut Off Funeral Home, 17330 W. Main St. (Highway 1). A Visitation and Mass will be on Tuesday September 16 at from 9 am with Mass at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Highway 1, Galliano LA. The Right of Committal will follow at Cheramie Cemetery, LA Highway 308, Galliano LA.