Technical Sergeant Mike Dufrene

Technical Sergeant Mike Dufrene departed his earthly body on 26 October 2023 to join Doris, his wife of 62 years. Ellious (Mike) J. Dufrene, age 90, a resident of the Southeastern Louisiana Veterans Nursing Home, Reserve, Louisiana was born 20 July 1933 in New Orleans, Louisiana and lived his childhood in Paradis, Louisiana. The son of the late Lawrence J. and Eunice Dufrene, Mike is survived by daughter Nancy (Mark) Houchens, son Michael (LaCynda) Dufrene, daughter Cheryl Picone and son Rick Dufrene, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Mike is also survived by sisters Edwina Hymel, Joyce Marcel, Marion (Vernon) Clem and brother Lawrence J. (Sally) Dufrene Jr. In addition to his wife and parents, Mike was preceded in death by son Steven A. Dufrene and sisters Geraldine Noto, Sandra Mazariegos and Nora Peyregne. Mike spent 20 years in the United States Air Force as a sheet metal mechanic and loved the Air Force way of life. He and his family had assignments in Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Germany, Maine, Thailand and Florida, before retiring at Hurlburt Field, Florida in 1972. After retiring from active duty, Mike worked in Fort Walton Beach for Eccles Looney and Thompson, manufacturing towers for the forestry service and prison system. Shortly after, he was hired as a sheet metal mechanic with the United States Navy at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida where he progressed as a work leader and then supervisor in the blade shop. As the blade shop supervisor, he was responsible for the repair, refurbishment and balancing of helicopter blades for the US Navy and US Air Force. After retirement from civil service, Mike operated a scrap metal recycling business with Doris and son Rick. A resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida for more than 53 years, Mike was known by most everyone in his neighborhood as he would stop and chat frequently. He was friendly, funny and would help anyone, no matter the need. Mike umpired softball in city leagues for years and loved the sport, including watching girls’ college softball. He was a die-hard Louisiana State University, Florida State University and New Orleans Saints fan and avidly supported Hahnville High School and local Florida high school football teams. Only the Worldwide Wrestling Federation rivaled his love for football. If you looked up “hard worker” in the dictionary, you would see Mike’s picture. He could outwork most anyone and imparted that trait on his children. Though he enjoyed many things in life, none compared to his wife of 62 years, Doris. His life changed dramatically after Doris passed but his love for her never wavered. Mike was a Rajun Cajun to the bone and loved his shrimp po-boy and crawfish sandwiches when he often visited family and friends. He left Louisiana as a young man when he joined the Air Force, but his heart and soul remained as he loved his home state. He was a faithful attendee and member of St. Peter Catholic Church, Mary Esther, Florida for many years, before transferring to St. Mary Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach. He will be forever in our hearts and we’ll long remember the jokes he told over and over. A Memorial Service with Requiem Mass will be held at the Millet-Guidry Funeral Home, 2806 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace, Louisiana at 2:00 PM on Saturday, 4 November 2023. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Additionally, there will be a Graveside Service at Barrancas Military Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station, at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, 7 November 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hahnville High School, 200 Tiger Dr., Boutte, Louisiana 70039, to establish a scholarship in his name.

Tributes

Technical Sergeant Mike Dufrene

July 20, 1933 - October 26, 2023