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. today, Jan. 6, 2016.
Paul Vella was 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 11 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 20 years. He owned and operated Vella’s Fans & Gifts for 10 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; their three sons and spouses, Paul Vella Jr. and Beverly of Morgan City, Karl Lucas Vella and Gracia of Lafayette, and Kenneth Joseph Vella and Tracy of Brandon, Mississippi. In addition, he had two grandchildren, Jennifer Vella Stonicher and her husband, Wesley Stonicher, and 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 preceded in death by his parents, Lucas and Sarah Vella; sisters-in-law, Bernice Williams, Faith Perera, and Doris Derocca; and a sister, Julia Cronin of Pineville.
Paul was born in Bunkie, Louisiana, 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 in 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 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, and the wake will resume from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 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 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.