Vergel Anthony Duplessis

Vergel “Bowee” Anthony Duplessis, a retired General Services Administration (GSA) Supervisor, entered into eternal rest on September 3, 2013 of a heart attack at his home. He was 83. Bowee, as called by family and friends, Duke as called by co-workers, was born on March 22, 1930. He was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, a graduate of St. Katharine Elementary, Xavier University Preparatory and he attended Xavier University, New Orleans. As a star athlete, he held many MVP awards and city and state basketball titles. His athletic ability earned him a place on the United States Air Force basketball team. After receiving an honorable discharge he married the love of his life, Valerie L. Isidore, on November 11, 1957 and remained married until her passing in November of 2004. From this union, three children were born: Darlene Duplessis, Virgil Duplessis and Terri Duplessis- McCrea. Bowee was devoted to his family and his community. A civil servant of over 30 years, he was awarded the key to the city by Mayor Moon Landrieu for his selfless community service having been recognized for his work with young people, seniors and hurricane victims. He was a devout Catholic and committed to the radio rosary ministry. He was a parishioner of Holy Ghost Church (currently St. Katharine Drexel) for 50 plus years. Bowee was a member of the Holy Name Society serving as State President for four years. In 2010 Archbishop Aymond conferred the “Order of St. Louis” medallion, in recognition of his leadership and dedicated service to the Church, the Parish and the Archdiocese of New Orleans. St. Maria Goretti Church was his post-Katrina place of worship, where he attended daily rosary and mass. Bowee was preceded in death by his wife Valerie Duplessis; parents, Herman Edward Duplessis and Albertine Chauvin-Duplessis; brothers, Heartly, Hamilton, Theodore, Lionel, Victor Sr., Wardell Sr., Lloyd, Sidney Sr., Noel and Christopher Duplessis; and sisters, Mildred Ruffins and Ethel Minor. He is survived by his children, Darlene M. Duplessis, Virgil W. Duplessis, Terri Duplessis-Mc Crea; daughter-in-law Ann Davis-Duplessis, son-in-law Alfred Matthew Mccrea; eight (8) grandchildren, Candace Rodney, Adam Rodney, Kristin Rodney, Brooks Duplessis-Barnes (Nicarto), Lyndsey Duplessis, Heather Duplessis, Claude Flot III, Brandon Flot Sr. (Raecine); seven (7) great-grandchildren, Tai Flot, Camille Barnes, Brooklyn Barnes, Sydney Barnes, Brandon Flot Jr., Jaydis Flot, Gavin Flot; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Parishioners of St. Katharine Drexel and St. Maria Goretti Churches, Holy Name Society Members, Federal Government Employees, Liberty Bank and Trust Company, LSU Board of Supervisors, American Federation for Children, New Orleans Police Department, City of New Orleans Administration and Staff, Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots, The Blood Center, Jacobs Technology, No Private Matter, Inc, Quick Courier Service, The Times Picayune, relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 9, 2013, at 12:30 p.m., St. Katharine Drexel Church, 2015 Louisiana Avenue., Rev. Msgr. John Cisewski, Celebrant, Visitation 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Rosary 12:00 p.m., Private Burial, Professional services entrusted to Duplain Rhodes Funeral Home. Donations payable to the Radio Rosary Guild in memory of Vergel Duplessis are being requested in lieu of flowers. Donations envelopes available at burial service for collection or mail offering to Radio Rosary Guild, Union of Holy Name Societies, Archdiocese of New Orleans, PO Box 6644, Metairie, Louisiana 70096-6644.