Joseph Roy Calais, 88, of Port Arthur died October 4, 2011 at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas.  Born October 7, 1922 in Cecilia, Louisiana, he was the son of Elmire Lormand Calais and Whitney Calais.  Mr. Calais served in the United States Coast Guard and retired from Texaco after thirty-five years, as a boiler room operator.  He enjoyed gardening, and was known for his tomatoes and vegetables that he grew.  He was a family man, hard working, had a strong faith and loved to rock the babies.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Vivian  Landry Calais of Port Arthur; children, Cathy Barra and her husband, Ronnie of Nacogdoches, Patsy Arredondo and her husband, Rudy of Groves, Don Calais of Atlanta, Georgia, Elaine Chionsini and her husband, Andrew of Beaumont and Mark Calais and his wife, Laura of Austin; brother, Ray Calais of Cecilia, Louisiana; sister, Ethel Taylor of Covington, Louisiana; grandchildren, Brad Barra, Mandie Champagne, Cara Holder, Stacie Barra-Tournis, Jamie Proenza, Jill Chriswell, Abbey Chionsini, Alex Chionsini, and Nolan Calais; and six great grandchildren.  Joseph’s parents and his sisters, Grace Zerangue and Ann Opal Guidry preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2011 at St. Therese, the Little Flower Catholic Church followed by entombment at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 12th Street, Nederland.  A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday evening, October 6, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at Broussard’s.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.