Thomas Peter Popich

Thomas Peter Popich of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, loving husband, father and PaPa, passed in peace on April 12, 2019 at the age of 96. He is survived by his wife, Minnie Lee, of 65 years, children Susan (Larry) Burbine, Charles (Shamiya) Popich, Alan Popich, Angela Popich Perkins, Laura (Henry) Patron, and Julie Popich Wascom, 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sister Gloria Sketchler, sister-in-law Tommie Lou (the late Joseph) Popich and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Nicholas and Annie Ragas Popich, brothers John and Joseph Popich, and sisters Annabelle O’Brien and Mary Mae Fazende. Thomas was born on October 19, 1922 and grew up in Buras, Louisiana with his parents and five siblings. He graduated from Buras High School and worked as an engine mechanic with Gulf Oil. Tom and his brother Joe each served four years as Staff Sergeants in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. His distinguished service as an aircraft mechanic and supervisor included combat flight missions with the 374th Bombardment Squadron 308th Bombardment Group in which Allied supplies were airlifted across “The Hump”, the route crossing the Himalayan foothills into China. After the war, as a descendent of Croatian citrus farmers and oyster fishermen, Tom had a business of trucking oysters and oranges to New Orleans and was even briefly an ambulance driver. In 1946 at the young age of 24, Tom was chosen by Queen Gloria Cvitanovich (Mrs. Drago Batinich) to serve as the first King of the Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival. In 1958, Tom and Joe Popich founded Offshore Shipyard, a marine vessel repair and fabricating business, in Venice, Louisiana as well as Popich Brothers Water Transport, Inc., which successfully operated a large fleet of workboats and crewboats that serviced the oil and fishing industries for many decades. Other businesses included Popich Lands, Oyster Lands Leasing, Popich Brothers Superior Oysters and the Plaquemines Gazette. Thomas also served on the Board of Directors of Delta Bank and Trust.Thomas, Uncle Tom, PaPa, T-Tom, Moon, will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, self-made businessman, avid golfer and hunter, and distinguished World War II veteran. We would like to acknowledge all of the wonderful caregivers and staff at Our Lady of Wisdom for their loving support, comfort, and care of our Dad. A mass celebrating his life will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey with visitation from 9 to 11 AM. Interment will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park, 1225 Whitney Ave., Gretna, LA. In lieu of flowers, mass intentions may be made in his honor. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com .