Eugene “Gene” Leon Abadie III passed away peacefully on November 13, 2022, surrounded by family.

He was born May 31, 1966 in New Orleans Louisiana, and later became a resident of Covington. After graduation from St Paul’s, he went on to peruse a degree at Southeastern Louisiana University, and Louisiana Tech, in Ruston.

Gene was an avid fisherman and boat captain, who often competed in semi-professional redfish tournaments from Texas, to Florida.

He owned and operated his own construction company for more than twenty years, and later went on to be the Operations Manager for Command Construction.

Gene loved to travel with his wife, taking trips from Thailand to Tennessee. He loved to take cruises, ride his Harley, go to Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, and find new places to eat great food. A lover of old classic Hollywood movies, westerns, Janus films,  early, mornings, blue salt water,  the stars and planets, and was extremely intelligent, and generous to a fault.

Gene was an even tempered, gentle giant of a man who constantly kept a smile on his face, was perpetually and eternally happy. He loved Jesus, and never had an unkind word. Gene lived and loved to help, teach, and mentor people.

His love for life, and will to live was unlike any other; He truly defied all odds, and was a living, breathing testament to the grace and mercy of Jesus. And he was thankful for that, until the end.

Gene is survived by his wife; the love of his life and best friend, Barbara Dominick Abadie, children Christopher Abadie (Brooke), Haley Hart (Devan), Zachary Travis (Desiree), Melanie Shelton, Ricky Shelton (Hash) and Rowan and Nina Abadie.

Grandchildren, Owen Abadie, Amarissa Ramirez, Estela Travis, and an unborn granddaughter.

Faithful friends, Greg Fucon, Frank  Cuomo, Bruce Venable,  and Brandon Rawlings,  as well as  his nephew and bestest buddy, Jake Colin Traylor.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Eugene L Abadie Sr., father, and Eugene L. Abadie Jr. brother in law , Robert Traylor, and best friend, Rodney J. Chenevert.

Special thanks to Jesus, God, and the neuro team at Ochsner Hospital Main, Ochsner Rehab, and to nurses like Tashika and Monique, for being part of the blessing that allowed us the additional three years of memories that were made with my husband and children’s father…and for allowing him the chance meet, love and enjoy the grandchildren that he so desperately wanted, and waited for.

Also, thank you St Tammany Hospice for sending some of the most amazing people our way.

He especially bonded with Dee.

He is healed, whole, and I’m sure has already found the perfect spot to fish.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Ponchatoula, 100 W. Magnolia Street, Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454, on Saturday, November 19, 2022 beginning at 10:00 AM until the memorial service begins at 1:00 PM.

Interment will follow in Sand Hill Cemetery, Ponchatoula, Louisiana.