Paul Vella Sr.

Paul Vella Sr. November 26, 1929 January 6, 2016 A prominent Morgan City citizen passed at 808 Hilda Street in Morgan City at 1:34 a.m. on January 6, 2016. Paul Vella is well known for his many years as President and Founder of St. Mary AARP Chapter #4435. He was a manager at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium for several years. He was a fifth grade teacher at Julia B. Maitland Elementary School for eleven years. He worked as a park director for the Morgan City Recreation Department for several years. He owned and operated Shopper's Weekly-St. Mary Journal for twenty years. He owned and operated Vella's Fans & Gifts for ten years. He was also instrumental in getting a much needed gym and new school wing at Central Catholic. Paul is survived by his wife of 65 years - Thelma Marie Watkins Vella and their three sons & spouses - Paul Vella Jr. & Beverly in Morgan City, Karl Lucas Vella & Gracia in Lafayette, and Kenneth Joseph Vella & Tracy in Brandon, Ms. In addition, he had two grand children - Jennifer Vella Stonicher and husband Wesley Stonicher - plus Lucas Jude Vella and his wife Lindsay. Paul Sr. had five great grandchildren - Evangeline Vella Stonicher, Oliver Blaze Stonicher, Elliot Paul Stonicher, Adley Grace Vella, and Mason Joseph Vella. He was proceeded in death by his parents Lucas and Sarah Vella, as well as, Sister In Laws Bernice Williams, Faith Perera, and Doris Derocca. His sister, Julia Cronin of Pineville also proceeded in death. Paul was born in Bunkie, La and reared in Hessmer - all in Central Louisiana where he attained his high school diploma at Hessmer High School. He then attended USL in Lafayette where he earned a BA degree elementary education. He moved to Morgan City for his first job where he also met and married his wife. The wake for Mr. Vella will be at Twin City Funeral Home from 6pm-9pm on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 and the wake will resume from 9am-10:30am on Thursday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Clyde Mahler performing the service. He will then be brought to the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum, his final resting place. Twin City Funeral Home of Morgan City is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Central Catholic High School or Holy Cross Elementary in Paul Vella Sr.'s name.