Longtime St. Charles Parish Judge, and current chief judge of the Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal, Edward A. Dufresne Jr., died suddenly this morning. According to District Court Judge Sterling Snowdy.

Dufresne, 72, of Luling, was working in the offices of his company, when he collapsed from what appears to be a massive heart attack in front of family members and office staff.

Dufresne served as clerk of court and district judge in St. Charles before being elected to the eight-member appeals court panel.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hahnville and will continue on Friday from 8 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church at 11:00 am with Fr. B. Francis officiating. Private graveside services will follow in the family cemetery.