Lennet Daigle, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, retired safety engineer for Commercial Union Insurance Co. and an avid golfer who at age 86 was Reunion Golf Club's oldest marshal, died Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at his home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in White Castle on June 13, 1921, Mr. Daigle left the sugarcane fields to join the military as a teenager. He served 20 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of chief petty officer before retiring in 1960. He worked as a machinist's mate working in the engine room aboard several vessels during World War II and the Korean War, serving on the USS Missouri, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Ostara, Willett and Hancock. His career as safety engineer for Commercial Union Insurance Co. also lasted 20 years. He devoted much of his time to golf after retirement, scoring a hole in one in September 1973. A skilled guitar player in his youth, Mr. Daigle was a self-taught pianist and artist in his elderly years. Many of his oil paintings of south Louisiana scenes grace the walls of his residence. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Lennet J. Daigle Jr. and wife Amy, of San Diego, Richard C. Daigle and wife Jan, of Alpharetta, Ga., Andrew P. Daigle and wife Denise, of Spartanburg, S.C., Ronald J. Daigle and wife Barbara, of Hoschton, Ga.; daughter and son-in-law, Susan Boes and husband Steve, of Buford, Ga.; brothers, Alvin, Herman, Whelman, Roy and Larry Daigle; and sisters, Mabel Templet, Thelma LeGlue and Wilma Brown. He is also survived by his grandchildren Lennet J. Daigle III, Adrian Daigle, Lucy Daigle, Jason Dugas, Aaron Dugas, Richie Daigle, Bethany Daigle, Caroline Daigle, Cameron Daigle, Kyleigh Daigle, Jillian Daigle, Phoebe Daigle, Brooks Daigle, Josiah Daigle, Owen Daigle, Bryce Daigle and Chace Daigle; as well as great-grandchildren, Kayla and James Dugas. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Daigle; and grandson, Noah Daigle. Visiting at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in White Castle on Friday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133 or http://www.flaniganfuneralhome com. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the American Cancer Society. Local arrangements by Ourso Funeral Home, Donalsonville.
Published in The Advocate on 8/16/2007.