Cover photo for John Peter Bonvillain's Obituary
John Peter Bonvillain Profile Photo
1931 John 2017

John Peter Bonvillain

November 26, 1931 — November 11, 2017

John Peter Bonvillain, on Nov. 11, celebrated local musician and longtime Gretna resident John Peter Bonvillain, 85, passed away at his home and returned to the loving arms of his wife, Winona Bonvillain. John was the youngest child born to Theodore and Bernadette Detiveaux Bonvillain on Nov. 26, 1931, along with 12 brothers and sisters, who all preceded him in death. He is survived by his son John Edward Bonvillain and daughters Donna Bonvillain Cavallo (Tom) and Laura Bonvillain Jacobsen (George). His grandchildren Karen Bonvillain Rogers (Jamie), Melanie Jacobsen Ferguson (John), Tori Coleman Weckesser (Charles), Jaime Jacobsen Gannard (Joey), Alessa Bonvillain Massey (Hector), Kelly Jacobsen Ramsak (Seth), Dara Coleman Ditcharo (Bennie) and Ryan Joseph Lassabe. His great-grandchildren Ashleigh, Earl, Hannah, Lindsey, Devin, Peyton, Jocee, J.D., Logan, Seth, Nicholas, Aiden, Brennan, Jacob and many nieces and nephews. Also waiting to welcome him into heaven are his daughter-in-law Alessandra Crain Adams, grandson Dane Joseph Coleman and great-grandson Joseph Alvin Gannard Jr. John learned to play the steel guitar as a child and continued to play for almost 75 years. His first job was with Irvin Tuttle, and he played on WWL radio with Bill Cason from 1948 to 1955 and recorded with many bands in the Blue Room of the Roosevelt (Fairmont) Hotel. He wrote and played on the Dr. Tichenor’s commercial and made the first Charmin commercial at WDSU radio. He performed with Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, Tex Williams, Sam Butera, Joe Jones, Barbara Lynn, Johnny Horton, Jeannie Pruitt, Little Jimmy Dickens, Russ "C.J. Cheramie" Wayne, Vin Bruce, Leroy Martin, Russ Russell and Billy Fayard. He also wrote and recorded songs for "Gyp the Jitter Bug" and Russ Wayne and recorded on Capital Records. He wrote and recorded campaign songs for Vernon Wilty, assessor of Jefferson Parish; and Jack Riley, sheriff of St. Bernard Parish; and played and campaigned for Gov. Earl K. Long. In 1963, John opened Bonvillain’s Music on Lafayette Street in Gretna, where he worked and taught music until he retired and his son took over the business. Although not working anymore, he was still often at the store helping out and visiting with friends and customers. Services will be held at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, on Monday, Nov. 20. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a memorial service at 4 pm
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Monday, November 20, 2017

1:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)

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