BELLE CHASSE, La. (WGNO) – Today is a day of mourning in Plaquemines Parish. Parish President Amos Cormier Jr. died Thursday following emergency surgery.
“I remember Mr. Cormier as a true gentleman, a true statesman. A man with deep roots in Plaquemines Parish, who came from Plaquemines Parish and never forgot Plaquemines Parish,” acting Plaquemines Parish President, Kirk Lapine, said.
Cormier graduated from Port Sulphur High School, Southeastern Louisiana University and received his Masters in Educational Administration from Loyola University, New Orleans.
Cormier taught and coached at Port Sulphur High School, Delta Heritage Academy, and Buras High School before he was elected to two terms as a Plaquemines Parish Councilman. Cormier served Port Sulphur for eight years before being elected Plaquemines Parish President in 2015.
“He was always a good friend to me, if I need something, I called him and he was there for us,” Saint Bernard Parish’s Director of Homeland Security, John Rahm Jr., said. “He was faced with some insurmountable obstacles with the budget that’s coming up and he was doing his best and I think he was just working too hard. He wanted to do things right for his people and I am sure they’re going to miss him.”
Sheriff deputies from Jefferson, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parish, along with Gretna Police and Louisiana State Police escorted Cormier’s body to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Belle Chasse around 7:30 a.m.
Two fire trucks displaying American flag greeted the funeral procession at the church.
Visitation for Cormier was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church from nine a.m. to noon.
A funeral Mass followed.
All government offices will be closed Monday. Plaquemines Parish Government employees are invited to pay their respects to Amos Cormier and his family.
