Salvador Joseph "Sal" Barcelona Sr.

Salvador Joseph “Sal” Barcelona, Sr., passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 2, 2018, at the age of 84. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of sixty-four years, Melva Rita Danos. He was the only child of Anthony and Felicie Biondolillo Barcelona.
A longtime resident of Marrero, Louisiana, Sal was a graduate of the 1952 Class of Marrero High School. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and remained a Fighting Tiger fan for life. He obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University Law School. From 1960 through 2000, Sal found an outlet for his natural calling of helping others as an agent for State Farm Insurance. He established the first State Farm location on the West Bank of New Orleans; he was proud to serve all who entered his agency on Barataria Boulevard. His office was always a lively place, where he considered his dedicated staff to be like members of his family. Clients were welcome to linger and were encouraged to provide meandering answers to the question that he always asked of others: “How can I help you?” He generously donated his time to the American Red Cross, the Knights of Columbus, and the Lions Club. In the late 1960s and through the 1970s, he dedicated much of his time to the Visitation of Our Lady Catholic Parish in Marrero, where his children attended school. Sal is survived by five children: Kathy (Charles) Richard, Amy (Richard) Hernandez, Christopher Barcelona (Tina Teddlie), Laurie (Robert Kennedy) Barcelona, and Salvador Barcelona, Jr. He cherished the role of “Pappa” to his seven grandchildren: Kaitlyn Richard, Christopher Barcelona, Jr., Charles (Bailey) Richard, Jr., Daniel Hernandez, Elliot Barcelona, Marcelle Richard, and Emily Hernandez. Upon marrying Melva, Sal’s family grew to include the numerous loving relatives of the Claudia Guidroz-Paul Danos clan, with whom he shared many holidays, vacations, and fantastic meals. Sal also had many friends, with whom he exchanged endless Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes, among other “stories.” He was a Patriarch in the truest sense. Generous with his heart, wisdom, and time, he mentored many clients, friends, and family members regarding a variety of subjects, including the importance of safe driving, college majors, and career decisions. He loved to play cards and especially enjoyed teaching many of the young children in his extended family how to play bourré and win. He lived well and was well loved. We will all miss him dearly. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the administration and staff of Lambeth House and to the caregivers of Mercer’s Way at Lambeth House. Through his struggles with Parkinson’s disease, the extraordinary caregivers of Mercer’s Way managed to reach and maintain Sal’s loving nature and sense of humor until the very end. They helped his family greatly throughout his illness and especially in the last weeks and days. The family would also like to thank Guardian Angel Hospice for their compassionate care and advice. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Visitation on Friday, December 7, 2018 beginning at 9:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM all at Visitation of Our Lady Church, 3500 Ames Boulevard, Marrero, LA. Interment to follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Gretna, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sal Barcelona can be made to Mercer’s Way at Lambeth House (Attn. Natalie Hooks), 150 Broadway Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118. Donations can also be made in memory of Sal Barcelona to Visitation of Our Lady Church, 3500 Ames Boulevard, Marrero, Louisiana, 70072. Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA. in charge of arrangements.