Claude Gougisha Sr.

Claude Gougisha Sr. was born on December 14, 1951, to the union of the late Junior Gougisha and Vera Simmons Gougisha. On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, God called him home thereby eliminating all his earthly afflictions and providing him with celestial peace. Claude was a resident of Marrero, Louisiana and was known to have a unique sense of humor and prideful demeanor. He was kind, loving and always willing to give. All who knew him also knew that his kindness could not be mistaken for weakness. A strong and dependable provider, Claude taught his children the value of family, hard work, discipline and pride in themselves and their accomplishments. Claude was employed with Bell South telephone company for 30 years and, at retirement, was a Union Steward for the Communications Workers of America. He received many accolades and awards for his hard work and dedication. He was the owner of a truly unique personality and just about every person he encountered in his life came away with a compelling story to tell about their time with him. At his passing, Claude was married to Gelinda Cotton Gougisha and he was blessed to have six children; Tamica Gougisha Cador, Sean Slaughter, Claude Gougisha Jr., Isaiah Gougisha, Brian Gougisha and Nina Gougisha. He is, to this day, greatly and dearly loved by his children and will be truly missed by them all. Claude Gougisha was a very smart and inquisitive man. He had a gif for analytical thinking and attended Dillard University as Mathematics major. He crossed the burning sands of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1970, becoming a member of Beta Phi Chapter and earning the line name,”Baby Lion”. He was thereafter respectfully called “The Lion” by all his fraternity brothers and was known for his tenacity as well as his kindness. Claude was dependable, a man of his word, and was known to go above and beyond the call of duty when it came to his family and friends. Claude will be tremendously missed and his memory cherished by his wife Gelinda Cotton Gougisha; his six loving children - Tamica Gougisha (Tony), Sean Slaughter (Draylonda), Claude Gougisha Jr.(Melmary), Isaiah Gougisha (Indy), Brian Gougisha, and Nina Gougisha; his mother Vera Simmons Gougisha; four siblings - Michael Gougisha (Mary), Byrone Gougisha, Faye Gougisha Larche (Gilbert), and Connie Gougisha Spencer (Everette); his grandchildren (12), aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and host of other relatives and friends. “When you see a little slack, tighten up.” ——- Claude Gougisha Sr. Relatives and friends of the family are all invited to attend A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am on Saturday,February 8, 2020 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 924 Monroe St., Gretna, LA 70053. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am. Internment: Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Avondale, LA.