Richard Noel Romain

Richard Noel Romain of Gretna, Louisiana passed away Monday, June 26, 2023 at age 69. He was born April 18, 1954 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Richard graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, LA in 1972. He was a heavily recruited athlete, but ultimately accepted a football scholarship to LSU, where Richard obtained a BA degree in Business Administration, while performing at a high level as a wide receiver for his beloved Fighting Tigers. Promise of a pro career vanished with a career ending knee injury in 1974. Richard’s fearlessness and love for new adventures played out when he was cast in the lead role in Cane River, a 1982 American romantic drama film that was rediscovered and re-released in 2013 and beyond. Although he was not a professional actor, Richard was a natural; his screen presence captivating. At the age of 34, Richard was in love and married his lovely and only wife of 33 years, Theresa Elise Broussard of New Iberia, LA (div. 2022). They made their first family home in Kenner, LA, where they began raising their two boys Gian and Brandon. Later, they packed up and moved the family across Lake Pontchartrain to Mandeville, LA where they resided for many years until the boys reached adulthood. Many relatives and friends cherish the memories of visiting Richard and Theresa’s family home and the tropical jungle landscape he crafted in the backyard. Richard’s 40-year career as a Lead Funeral Director at D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home in New Orleans garnered high praise, recognition and adoration in the GNO community and the region. Richard was beloved. His passion for helping people and orchestrating successful burials brought comfort to families during the toughest of times. Everybody sought out Rhodes’ tall, good-looking funeral director! Anybody who knows Richard knows he loved to put his hands in dirt and took great pride in his beautiful zen garden. He yearned to be outside, to feel the sun on his face either fishing or swimming or barbecuing. Richard was a sportsman’s sportsman, who tried just about anything, and usually mastered it quickly. His latest quest – golf! Family was everything to Richard; he cherished his sons, his siblings, his lovely girl CoCo, and friendships that he collected like art. Richard also had mad love for LSU and a deep connection to his band of Tiger brothers. Family and friends will remember Richard for his big, kind heart, his playful spirit and his leading-man charm that lit up a room. His two sons took great pride and enjoyed supporting their father during LSU alumni events and games, as those are some of their fondest memories with him. Richard Romain was a steady, solid man and was and will always be loved by so many. Richard is survived by his two sons, Gian J. and Brandon M. Romain; his wonderful former wife Theresa E. Broussard; his siblings Leslie R. Chauvin (Ralph), his twin Julie A. Romain, Inez R. (Roy) Glapion, Paul G. (Amyre) Romain; sister-in-law Gale B. Russell, brothers-in-law Raymond Broussard and William “Bill” (Kathy) Russell, Sr.; nieces Allyson Chauvin, Ingrid P. Alonge, Lauren and Alexandria Patin; nephews Raoul ‘Dutch’ Chauvin, Dillon and Dalton Glapion, Ramon Russell, Deacon Wynard Boutte, Chris and Erick Broussard; dear and loving companion Corine Porche; and countless friends and colleagues. He was one of seven children from the union of the late Edwin P. Romain, Sr. and Myra M. Romain. He was preceded in death by both his mother and father; brother, Dr. Edwin P. Romain, Jr. (Dr. Wilfred Delphin); sister Simone R. Newman; mother-in-law Lillie T. Broussard and father-in-law Joseph P. Broussard; and nephew William “Lil Bill” Russell, Jr. Special thank you to his LSU family, the 4 R’s, his Rhodes family and staff and the City of Gretna. Relatives and friends of the family, pastors, officers and members as well as priest and parishioners of all Greater New Orleans Churches, Death Care Leaders of Louisiana, Alumni of LSU, and Archbishop Shaw High School are invited to attend a Visitation from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Rhodes Chapel, 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 followed by a Celebration of Life at 5:00 pm. Please join us by livestream at 4:50 pm by visiting www.facebook.com/D.W.RhodesFuneralHome/live. On Thursday, July 6, 2023, a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 924 Monroe St., Gretna, LA (corner of Franklin and Burmaster St.) at 12:00 NOON. Visitation at 10:00 am to 11:45 am. Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Algiers, LA; Arrangements entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Home, 1020 Virgil St., Gretna, LA; please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook, share memories, and condolences to the family.