Joseph Diesi

Joseph C. J.C. Diesi

Opelousas Funeral services for Mr. Joseph C. J.C. Diesi, age 87, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2008, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Bellevue Memorial Park.

Father Angelo Cremaldi and Msgr. Louis Melancon will concelebrate the Mass. Sharee Hunter will provide the music for the Mass.

Mr. Diesi was a long-time resident of Opelousas. He died on Thursday, May 22, 2008, at 12:20 a.m. at the Acadia-St. Landry Hospital in Church Point.

Mr. Diesi was born in Odenburg, LA. His parents were Sam and Lula Campisi Diesi who came to the United States from Roccamena, Sicily and settled in Odenburg to work and raise their family. Mr. Diesi graduated from Melville High School and afterwards moved in 1944 to Opelousas to help his brother, Cyril, who had already started a business. In 1946, the brothers Frank, Cyril, and J. C. formed the Hudson Automobile Dealership on Landry Street. In 1948, the brothers formed the Pontiac Dealership which was also housed in the existing dealership. In 1961, the Buick Dealership was added. In 1965, the brothers built a new facility on the I-49 Service Road in Opelousas. In 1988, the added the G. M. C. truckline to their dealership.

In 1957, the Diesi brothers formed a distributorship that handled Falstaff Beer. Later in 1967, the brothers formed another distributorship handling Miller's High Life Beer.

In 1958, The American Bank and Trust Co. was founded in Opelousas. Mr. J. C. was one of its founding directors and remained on the board until his death.

Mr. Diesi enjoyed dancing with his family and friends as much as possible. Every Saturday night it was a tradition to head out to one of his favorite nightclubs for an evening of fun. He especially liked 40's and 50's music. At his age, no one had half the stamina he had. He could literally dance all night.

Mr. Diesi was married to the love of his life, Mrs. Bernice Stelly Diesi. They truly enjoyed life together to the fullest. They enjoyed eating out with family and their many friends. He dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his lifetime, he was a hardworking man who loved spending time with his family and friends. He was truly a people person and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Diesi was a longtime member of the Opelousas Elks Lodge 1048, the Opelousas Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Indian Hills Country Club, and a member of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas.

Survivors include three sons: Sammy Diesi and wife, Rebecca Becky; Cyril Diesi, and Charles Diesi and wife, Myrna; all of Opelousas; one daughter, Linda Cornette and husband, Eldon of Opelousas; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Bernice Stelly Diesi; his parents: Sam and Lula Campisi Diesi; two brothers: Cyril and Frank Diesi; and five sisters: Josephine Maddie, Katy Fredrick, Annie Dozier; Mary LaShute, and Frances Collette.
P His grandsons: Wells Cornette, Spencer Cornette, Chris Dies

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, May 23, 2008
11 a.m.9 p.m.Sat. 8 a.m.serv

Service

Rosary Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, May 23, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
2125 S. Union St.
Opelousas, LA  70570
Saturday, May 24, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial ParkH
4833 Highway 182
Opelousas, LA  70570