Joseph M Marzula

Joseph M. Marzula
Mulhearn Funeral Home
West Monroe, LA

Funeral services for Joseph M. Marzula of West Monroe will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday August 23, 2008 at St. Paschal’s Catholic Church in West Monroe with Rev. Frank Coens officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paschal’s Catholic Cemetery.

Joseph M. Marzula, born April 16, 1933, a pipe fitter foreman retired from Riverwood after 44 years. On August 19, 2008 in Houston, TX at Methodist Hospital’s DeBakey Cardiovascular Unit, Joseph finally won his long hard battle with cardiovascular disease by going home with Jesus.

Known to us as Daddy, “Papa Joe”, Uncle Joe, Coach Joe and “Bear”, he was a loving and giving role model for his family and a perfect example of determination, commitment, and hard work. Joe’s priorities in life were spending time with his family and always being there to support them in all of their activities. Joe spent much time creating special memories for his cherished loved ones that will last forever.

Joe was known throughout his lifetime as a loyal friend, a fierce competitor, and a dedicated coach. He began his coaching career at the age of 24 as the player-coach of the Olinkraft softball team from 1955-1967. During this twelve year span the team only lost a single game. In the fall of 1968, Joe began coaching boys in the Dixie Youth baseball program and continued coaching for 40 years until his death. The highlight of his 40 year coaching career came in 2006 when his team won not only the Louisiana State Title but also were the World Series runner-up. In 1972, Joe began coaching with his best friend Red “Hog” Yarbrough and Ken Brooks in the Gray Y football league. He spent 11 undefeated years coaching at Millsaps Elementary. During this same time, Joe and Red coached 11&12 year old boy’s basketball in the West Monroe Recreation League, winning first place 10 out of 11 years. He was legendary in that people who did not know him had the desire to get to know him.

Joe impacted countless lives through the years. He taught many people not only to win a game but how to win the game of life. He was a small man in stature, but to those that played for him, knew him, and love him, he was a giant and an Icon who will never be forgotten. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Mary Ann Marzula, daughter, April Alicia Marzula, sister Connie Buccola, nephew Johnny Buccola, and brother-in-law, Bob Fowlkes.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years Cecile Chapman Marzula; daughters, Julia Gross and husband Gary “Boogie”, Nicolle Howard and husband Michael; grandchildren, Dusty and Jade Bennett and River Gross; great grandchildren, Anthony Bennett and Isabella Boyer; sisters, Rosemary Fowlkes and Theresa Massey; brothers, Johnny Marzula and wife Ann, Vince Marzula and wife Eva, and Sam Marzula; sister-in-law, Joy C. Barriett; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Pallbearers will be Ben Brooks, Ken Brooks, Mark Brooks, Bobby Lemoine, Joey Marzula and John Barber.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday August 22, 2008 at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe, LA.