Paul  Gerard Aucoin

Published 4:48 pm Thursday, October 31, 2024

Paul Gerard Aucoin passed away mere minutes after receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick on Oct. 28, 2024. He was the devoted husband of the late Rita Tidwell Aucoin and was the cherished father of Shelley Aucoin Winters (Michael) and Leah Aucoin Regard (Eric). He was the most loving grandfather to Michael Edward Winters III, Elizabeth Tidwell Winters, Mary Emery Winters, Charlotte Rita Regard, and Corinne Elizabeth Regard.

Born June 18, 1946, in New Orleans, La., Paul was raised on Goodwill Plantation in Vacherie, La. with his six siblings and eight cousins (the children of his mother’s twin sister). He attended Saint Stanislaus boarding school and high school, Loyola University New Orleans, and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor.

Paul briefly practiced law in New Orleans before returning to Vacherie to begin his career as a plaintiff’s attorney. After an extensive legal career, which included serving as the Port of South Louisiana’s legal counsel, Paul served as Executive Director for the Port of South Louisiana from 2013 to 2022. During his tenure, Paul was instrumental in fostering growth along the River Region, including $23 billion in capital investments, and leading the port to be the largest port by tonnage in the Western Hemisphere from 2013 to 2018. He was a native and inveterate booster of the River Region and was deeply committed to fostering economic and community growth through both his professional and personal endeavors.

Paul was also dedicated to giving back to the community, serving as Director and Chairman of various organizations and boards including the St. Joseph Co-Cathedral Pastoral Council, the 29th Judicial District Indigent Defender Board, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System,  the South Central Planning Regional Loan Foundation, the River Parishes Community College, the River Parishes Convention Tourist and Visitors Commission, the River Region Chamber of Commerce, the St. James Bank and Trust Company, the St. James Bank Corporation, the St. James Parish Economic Development Board, and the World Trade Center New Orleans Board from 2015 to 2022, including as Chairman in 2021.

He loved his family more than anything and enjoyed traveling the world with Rita and his daughters. His daughters and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He often spent hours reading to his grandchildren to whom he instilled his love of learning. He will be forever missed.

Paul is survived by his brothers Leonard Henry Aucoin Sr. (Karla) and Ralph Joseph Aucoin Sr. (Keiren), and his sister, Jeanne Aucoin Hobson (Peter decd.). He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Owen Lonnie Tidwell Jr. (Esther decd.), and sisters-in-laws, Heidemarie Werner Aucoin and D’Anne Loden Aucoin, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents Felix Louis Aucoin Jr. and Winnie Marie Waguespack Aucoin; and his brothers, Edsel Joseph Aucoin Sr., Van Louis Aucoin, and Kenneth Joseph Aucoin Sr. (Constance).

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to River Parishes Tourist Commission, P.O. Box 728, LaPlace, LA 70069 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The funeral service will be on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at St. Philip Catholic Church, 1175 LA 18 in Vacherie, La., with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and the funeral mass beginning at 11 a.m.

Arrangements by L. A. Muhleisen and Son Funeral Home.   To share memories or condolences, please visit www.muhleisen.com