J. L. V. Grenier Scrapbook

Joseph Louis Viateur Grenier, also known as “Cap” was born in L’Anse, Michigan on January 22, 1882. In his early youth, he moved to Pointe Coupee parish, Louisiana. He later lived in Carencro and also resided with his uncle, the Rev. Father LaForet who was pastor of the Catholic church in Abbeville, Louisiana. At age sixteen he returned to Michigan. He attended the McGill University in Montreal, Canada where he majored in engineering. He was employed by the George A. Fuller Company of New York where his jobs included the New Orleans supply base during World War I, the Hibernia Bank building and United Fruit building in New Orleans and the General Motors building in St. Louis, Missouri. Afterwards, he was employed by the Doullot Company until it was liquidated in 1925. He was then affiliated with the Horace Williams Construction Company in New Orleans from 1925 -1942 where he served as Vice President until his retirement. In 1947, under the administration of Governor Jimmie Davis, Grenier was appointed as Director of Highways for the State of Louisiana. He was instrumental in the construction of hard-serviced roads in Lafourche Parish and Thibodaux as well as the road to Grand Isle. Additionally, he was instrumental in the construction of many important roadways and bridges throughout Louisiana. Grenier served as chairman or director of several committees and civic organizations including the St. Joseph Hospital building committee, Lafourche Parish Water District Board No. 1, Lafourche Parish Chamber of Commerce and the Bayou Lafourche Baseball Association. In 1952, he was named the “Outstanding Citizen of Thibodaux” for his services to his community. He was also honored with the Francis M. Durel award by the local chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars. J.L. V. Grenier married Rita Lydia Lagarde on November 25, 1908 in Thibodaux. After his retirement in 1942, he and his wife built the Oak Terrace home on the Forest Grove Plantation near the St. John Catholic Church in northern Lafourche Parish. He died on June 20, 1953 at his Oak Terrace home. Grenier Hall, which serves as the assembly and recreation area of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on the Nicholls State University campus was named in his honor in 1965.