Roland Bernard Faucheux Jr.

Roland Bernard Faucheux, Jr. (aka Buddy) Boot-Scoot Boogied his way through those pearly gates on Monday, May 18, 2020 - almost reaching his 82nd birthday. He was a terrific dancer, actually meeting his favorite wife, Jill Belsom Faucheux, at one of those smoky saloons where they continued to explore many styles of dance – country, Cajun, ballroom, Jamaican, and of course, line-dancing. However, he often resembled a “wild turkey” which probably resulted in his youngest daughter’s name, Lacey, after Lacey J. Dalton’s “Wild Turkey” song. (He was also quite adept at leading the Conga Lines in Cancun!) That youngest daughter, Lacey Faucheux, seems to have followed in his footsteps. Now a Floridian, Buddy enjoyed watching her dance, sing, act, pearl-dive, stilt-walk and perform in stunt shows at her many jobs including Universal Studios, Legoland, Sea World, and Capones Dinner Show in the Orlando area. The last time he saw her perform was about a year ago at Tulane Summer Lyric in New Orleans, where he donned his portable oxygen and by the time the show ended, he had 2% charge left on the battery. He promptly said that her performance was so awesome, it literally took his breath away! Buddy’s three older daughters, Connie, Donna and Michelle Faucheux, as well as his three grandchildren, Kayla Dunard, and Austin and Allison Arman are all Kansas City residents. Michelle is an RN at KU Medical Center. Kayla is a Speech/Language Pathologist at an inpatient rehab hospital. Austin is an Account Specialist at Wilbert Funeral Services, and Allison is a Pediatric RN at Children’s Mercy Hospital. His middle daughter, Donna is also a Pediatric RN at an infectious disease clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital. (I could not have made it through this past year without Donna. She literally flew in practically every other month, was always available to take my crazy phone calls, and luckily inherited Buddy’s green thumb, so she could help me take care of his beloved bougainvillea! (And NO, they are not drooping!) Buddy’s son, Jamey, is “ubering” people around the New Orleans area. His “adopted” granddaughter, Emma (aka “Badness”) who called him “Trouble” will be in her final semester in the fall as an LSU nursing school student. And last, but not least, his “grand-dog”, Lola, is still getting the “zoomies” on the living room rug whenever she visits. Buddy was extremely proud to be a member of the first graduating class at East Jefferson High School in 1956, Go, Warriors! He played football and ran track while there. He attended USL in Lafayette, worked for Shell Chemical, and then joined the engineering department at Avondale Shipyards as a mechanical engineer where he worked for 37 years. All of his friends at Avondale will remember him for his extreme delight at throwing live baby alligators into their cabins in the middle of the night at Bayou Segnette. He was a wonderful cook who enjoyed entertaining and traveling to exotic locations around the world sampling their local cuisine, notably the Peking duck in Beijing; the grilled octopus in Greece; mussels and frites in Paris; huevos motulenos in Cancun; can’t remember the names in Egypt and especially the moi at Mama’s Fish House in Maui. His Raziano family will always remember his fried turkey at his annual Raziano reunion; his Green Acres friends will remember his famous stuffed artichokes and grilled oysters and his aptly named “Rum Runners” group will truly miss his famous “Buddy Mary’s” on the golf course. Buddy loved playing and watching all sports – golf, tennis, soccer, snow skiing, and snorkeling. He especially loved the Saints, the “Who Dat” nation and rooted for Tulane and LSU (except when they played each other). But probably his most favorite retirement hobby was fishing and crabbing which brings us to the “love of his life” (aptly named, “Rum Point”).  This was his camp on the Chef Pass which was sadly taken away from him by Hurricane Katrina. At that time, he went to work part-time for A-1 Signs where his boss said he did everything except the actual installation of the signs. He was there, mostly creating havoc in permit offices until one year before he passed. Buddy was also a “creative” yard work decorator. The Bridgedale Subdivision will always remember his “butt pumpkin” at Halloween. Toilet papering the trees of family and friends for special occasions was also a favorite of his. But mostly everyone will remember his favorite picture of himself (notice above) with Rocky, the golden iguana, on his head!
Buddy decided against donating his body and brain to science, rather preferring to being cremated and having his ashes thrown from the back of a party barge into the Chef Pass where his beloved camp used to be. (Guys, just be sure the current is flowing into Lake Pontchartrain. He doesn’t want his ashes winding up in Lake Catherine.)
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Roland Faucheux, Sr. and Vera Raziano Faucheux and his brother-in-law, Richard (Dick) Keefe. He is also survived by his extremely patient sister, Ruby Keefe of River Ridge; his brother-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Jack Belsom, (the “good twin”) and his wife, Caroline of Maui who will probably laugh uncontrollably at this obituary, and of course, tons of family and friends. We wouldn’t have made it without all of you.
Buddy was diagnosed with IPF at the age of 78, which was the ultimate cause of his passing. I would like to thank his pulmonologist, Dr. Clayton Eiswirth at East Jefferson Hospital for always being there for him and me. (Sorry about the “He’s only 12!” remark.) Also I would like to thank all the staff from Compassus Palliative and Hospice, especially Eunice, Carly, Candice, and Mel for their compassion, humor, and tolerance. You all were amazing! Last but not least, his IPF support group doctors, nurses, nutritionists and his friend Richard at Tulane Medical Center for well, their “support” and especially those blueberry muffins!
RIP my Buddy. I will love you and miss you for the rest of my life. Save me a good spot up there, and for once, try to behave! “One little bear, running fast, home again, safe at last!”    

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