Obituary Record

Following an illness of a comparative short time, Joseph Evariste Saucier passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Florence Mitchell on Toulme St., surrounded by loved ones and close friends at 1:10 Friday morning, February 13, 1931. He was first stricken with the flu and his condition became aggravated, superinduced by advanced age, and the end came as a result.

Mr. Saucier was born in Bay St. Louis 78 years ago and resided in this city all of his life, always serving the public in positions of trust and honor. For a number of consecutive terms he served Bay St. Louis Beat No. 5, as justice of the peace, and from these days in his early manhood he was known as Judge Saucier and affectionately called "Judge" the balance of his life by all who knew him.

During the incipient years of the Hancock County Bank he served that institution as assistant cashier, serving with the late Cashier Eugene Roberts, one of the founders of that institution.

When the Merchants Bank was organized some twenty-six years ago, singularly as it may appear, he served as assistant cashier with George R. Rea.

Educated at St. Stanislaus College, he was a man of figures and excelled in the profession of book-keeping and was an accountant of no mean ability, hence his services in both banks at different times was to mutual advantage.

But before his banking career in the early nineties, under President Grover Cleveland he served the city of Bay St. Louis as postmaster, in a manner that stamped him as not only one of the most courteous and accommodating officials of that kind but notably as one of unusual efficiency. He was recommended by Representative Stockdale and the appointment followed.

Under President Wilson, Judge Saucier was again appointed to the Bay St. Louis postmastership and again served with marked ability and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He was elected sheriff and tax-collector of Hancock County before he served his second term as postmaster, and again in public office distinguished himself for application and excellent service. Following his term as sheriff, he was elected assessor for Hancock County and again served in his well-known capacity and ability.

For many years he served as a member of the Bay St. Louis school board and as secretary of the body, giving this honorary position the same unremitting and valuable service he did other trusts where there was remuneration or emolument. As a member of the school board he gave valuable aid and personal assistance in ouster proceedings against patrons charged with impure caucasian blood.

The death of his beloved wife some three years ago was a shock from which he never fully recovered and his impaired eyesight kept him from active life. After the death of Mrs. Saucier he made his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. J. Mitchell where his last years were made most comfortable by every possible solicitation. He died peacefully and beautifully as he had lived. A Catholic, he received the last spiritual consolation of his church, and his funeral was conducted with the rites of that church. The remains were tenderly laid in the family burial plot at St. Mary's Cemetery Saturday afternoon, marked by a wealth of beautiful flowers, mute testimony of the general esteem in which he was held.

Judge Saucier is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Camille Casanova, of Algiers, La.; Mrs. Florence Mitchell, of Bay St. Louis; and Mrs. Louise Rohrbacker of New Orleans. Four sons, Forest Saucier of Hattiesburg; Placide B. Saucier, of San Antonio, Texas; Turner Saucier of Houston, Texas, and Alcine E. Saucier, who is chief of the police service, Bay St. Louis.

A sister, Mrs. Lydia Saucier Eagan and one brother, William E. Saucier, both residents of Bay St. Louis, also survive, and by his step-father Judge John A. Breath of Bay St. Louis and Mrs. Vicky Calogne of New Orleans.

"Joe Saucier, while in the public eye practically through his long career of many years, was essentially a home man. Next to his fellowman he loved best his wife and children. His home was his castle. Practically all of his family life he resided on Main Street.

He was true to his friends and numbered them wherever he was known. He was acquainted over the county and his name had an affectionate place in every home where it was honored. He was always elected by large majorities for the people reposed in him every hope and he never betrayed their trust.

Source: Sea Coast Echo 2/20/1931