Deacon Labranche served St. Jane de Chantal

Deacon Frans J. Labranche, Jr., who served St. Jane de Chantal Church as a permanent deacon, died peacefully in his home on Sept. 8. He was 89.

Born in New Orleans to Frans J. Labranche and Murlyn Campbell, Deacon Labranche attended St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School, Jesuit High School and St. Joseph Seminary College before completing his Juris Doctorate at Loyola Law School in 1960.

From 1961-64, Deacon Labranche served as a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Air Force and remained a reserve officer for an additional 10 years while practicing law full time in a private firm though 1977. In 1978, Deacon Labranche was appointed clerk of the Louisiana Supreme Court, where he served with distinction until retiring in 1996.

Deacon Labranche was ordained a permanent deacon in 1981 and served at St. Jane de Chantal until his retirement. His many ministries included becoming an archdiocesan spiritual director in 1991 and an instructor in social teachings  for the Diaconate Formation Program from 1983-2016. He was appointed associate judge of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Metropolitan Tribunal by Pope John Paul II, serving from 1992-2013.

Deacon Labranche taught CCD and worked on the parish school board at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish. He was an active member in the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the Royal order of the Hibernians. Other accolades included being president of the Loyola Law alumni, president of the Loyola Alumni Association, president of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks and a member of St. Joseph Seminary Alumni Board. He was awarded the St. Ives Award for outstanding service to Loyola Law School and the Community, the J.O. Sentell Award for Leadership and Outstanding Service and the President’s Award from the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks and Alumnus of the Year from St. Joseph Seminary.

Deacon Labranche, who was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen, is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delphine LeBourgeois, and children Michael Labranche (Shanna), Jeannine Gonzales (Edwin), Gregory Labranche (Andrea), Richard Labranche (Melissa-deceased), and Robert Labranche; 12 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Abbey on Sept. 14 with interment following at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the abbey in Deacon Labranche’s memory at www.saintjosephabbey.com/donate.