Ronald "Ronnie" Leon Courtade Sr.

Filled with joyous hope for everlasting life we announce the passing of Ronald "Ronnie" Leon Courtade, Sr. Ronald departed this life peacefully at his home in Metairie, LA at the age of 91 on November 15th, the Feast Day of St. Albert the Great, in the 2025th year of Our Lord. Ronald was born in New Orleans to the late Rose Prestia Courtade and William Dominique Courtade on August 8th, the Feast of St. Dominic, in the 1934th year of Our Lord. Ronald Leon Courtade was first and foremost a faithful and practicing Catholic, an ambassador for Christ, a man who received the Eucharist daily, a man who believed in the power of prayer, especially the daily recitation of the Rosary. He was a devoted and loving husband to Lucy Messina Courtade, the love of his life upon "first sight" at Natal's Lounge on Chef Menteur Highway, whom he married at St. Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church on September 5, 1959. As a faithful Catholic couple, Ronald and Lucy were blessed with five children, from whom God blessed him with 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Ronald loved all his children and he unapologetically sacrificed for each one of them. Ronald was a loving husband and father, devoted grandfather and great-grandfather, valued sibling, involved uncle, a close friend to many, and a joyful soul to all whom he met. He loved meeting new people from all walks of life and he loved getting to know them and talking with them. Ronald proudly and actively served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from December 1956 to December 1958, attaining the rank of Sergeant, and in the reserves until his Honorable Discharge on November 30, 1962. During his life, Ronald provided well for his family by God's grace, self-sacrifice, and hard work. Ronald enjoyed a successful 37-year career with the U. S. Post Office, starting as a mail carrier and working his way up to Regional Vehicle Maintenance Facility Supervisor, where he had the great pleasure of working for the first female Postmaster, Hannah Cunningham. For most of those 37 years Ronald held many other part-time jobs, most notably working at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course ("The Track") from the early 1970's through 1989, including the entirety of ownership by Louie Roussel III, where he started as a mutuel clerk and finished his career as Mutuel Manager. Ronald is survived by his loving spouse of 66 years, Lucy Messina Courtade; his children: Ronald Leon Courtade, Jr. (Andrea); Steven Michael Courtade (Gilbert); David Louis Courtade; Darrell William Courtade; and Jennifer Courtade Duran (Jorge); his grandchildren: Kaylin Courtade Alberado (fiancé Brandon Macheca), Christian Ronald Courtade, Olivia Lucy Duran, and Audrey Violet Duran: his great-grandchild: Amelia Kay Alberado; his sister-in-law, Virginia Messina Aucoin; a beloved family friend, Julie Lively; his sister Joyce Courtade Zimmer; his very close personal friend and spiritual mentor, Father John Restrepo, OP, and his many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents: Rose Prestia Courtade and William Dominique Courtade; his siblings: Dean Courtade, Gloria Estrade, Warren Courtade, Marie Zimmer Friedrichs, and George Zimmer; his brother-in-law, Irving "Juny" Aucoin, Jr., and his many friends, especially Lenny Glorioso and Billy Newburger. Ronald will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. Relatives, friends, and all wishing to pay their respects are invited to attend the visitation at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 6425 W Metairie Avenue, Metairie, LA 70003, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, beginning at 11:00 A.M. until the Funeral Mass begins at Noon. In lieu of flowers, people wishing to remember Ronald are asked to send donations to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) or have Masses said for the repose of his soul. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.muhleisen.com

Tributes

Ronald "Ronnie" Leon Courtade Sr.

August 8, 1934 - November 15, 2025