Warren Rufus "Boxy" Pierre Obituary (1942 - 2022)

On January 26, 2022, Warren R. Pierre left this world at 79 years of age. Born on September 7, 1942, the pinnacle of Warren's life was his service to God as an ordained Catholic Deacon assigned to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Early in his boyhood, Warren received the call to service but chose to forego the priesthood in favor of love and family. Joining the deaconate was his second chance and for five years, he labored for the privilege. On December 13, 2009, he was ordained by Archbishop Gregory Aymond of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Prior to joining the ministry, Warren worked at Union Carbide (currently known as Dow) for nearly thirty years, retiring at 55 years old. Warren took pride in his work; but his greatest commitment was to his family. In 1963, he married the love his life, the late Nora Allen Pierre. He crafted a life of service centered on faith in God; commitment to family and "trying to make a difference in the community." Five children were born to Nora and Warren: the late Colette Marie Anderson (Malcolm); Trisha Pierre Cubit (Ernest); Warren Rufus Pierre, II; Atoundra Pierre Lawson (Reginald) and Emile Pierre, I (Nakeisha). He and Nora also helped to raise: Pamela Watson Comminie, Donna Haydel McCall and Lowell Bastain, Jr. A dedicated father and loving husband, Warren was actively engaged in civic activities and was the Vice President and co-founder of PBM Enterprises. Along with his business partners, Warren was the first African American real estate developer in St. John the Baptist Parish. His work with the St. John the Baptist Parish Council and Levee Board led to the building of the Westbank recreational pool located in Edgard, Louisiana. Warren was a trained carpenter having learned his craft from his father, the late Rufus Pierre and work-ethic from his mother the late Anita Burke Pierre. He built the home he raised his family in and many others in the townships of Wallace, Edgard and Lucy. A man of courage, prior to his work as an entrepreneur, carpenter and manager, he worked at Boeing's Michoud Assembly Facility where he helped build Apollo 11- the first spacecraft to land on the moon. An elite team was selected from a national pool of Boeing staff with Warren amongst them. Few African Americans were allowed to participate in the final assembly team of Apollo 11 and though it was an honor, Warren faced intense racial vitriol while living in Coral Gables, Florida. He tolerated the hatred and performed at his best with his efforts forever memorialized at the Smithsonian National Space Museum in Washington, D.C. In 1969, he returned to the comfort of family in Edgard and remained eternally proud of his Pierre/Burke family roots and his upbringing in Tigerville with his siblings: the late Alvin, Darrel (Jennifer) and James (Katherine) Pierre; and the late Glenda Pierre Gaudet (Ronald). In 2019, Warren retired from the deaconate after a decade of service to the people of Edgard working with Fathers Joel Cantones and Robustiano Morgia. He constantly recalled his ministry as a chaplain at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility in Hahnville, Louisiana; and, fondly reminisced on his days delivering lively sermons to the congregation of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church until his final hour. He leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Destani Comminie, Ty Forman, William Cubit, Mea Anderson, Ashlyn Boyd, Taylor Cubit, Dillon Cubit, Douglas Lawson, Deacon Lawson, Emile Pierre, II and Chase Pierre; four of his children; two of his brothers; his sister-in-law Marian Bailey (Prescott); his godchildren Byron A. Bailey (Lori) and Channel Cook Zeno (Michael); his nieces and nephews: Darrel, Jr., Meca, Ryan, JP, Jarrett, Jeffrey, Haven, Theory, Lowell, Connie, Donna, Evette, Rose, Leslie, Patrick, TJ, Terrence, AJ, Melinda, Finely, Quincy, Rodney, Natasha, Lavonzel, Byron, Tyler and Karen; and, his brothers in the Archdiocese of New Orleans' Deaconate Class of 2009 along with a host of other loved ones and friends. Warren is preceded in death by his wife; eldest daughter; sister; parents; and his aunts and uncles: Angelina Burke Bailey, Bertha Burke Miller, Theodore Burke, Irving Burke, Sr., Cleveland Burke, Angelina Pierre Faucher, Elizabeth Pierre Bovie, Lawrence Pierre, Charles Burke, Alma Burke and Albert Burke; three nephews: Dwight Bastain, Tyronne Bastain and Gabriel Haydel. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church located at 2349 Highway, Edgard, Louisiana 70049 at 10am; viewing at 8:30am to 9:45am; Rosary at 9am led by Christine Roybiskie. Entombment to follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery. Final care and professional services entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services, 315 E. Airline Hwy, Gramercy, LA 70052. "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a Treasure!!" To share condolences and thoughts, and to sign guest book, please visit: www.treasurefunerals.com. Due to COVID-19 and CDC guidelines and restrictions, masks and social distancing are REQUIRED!!!