Obituary Record

Retired Xavier professor Victor Hayes Labat, 92, dies.

Victor Hayes Labat, retired chairman and associate professor of industrial arts at Xavier University, died Monday at his home. He was 92.

Mr. Labat was born in Bay St. Louis, Miss., and lived in New Orleans most of his life. He was a graduate of Xavier Preparatory High School and received a master's degree from Ohio State University.

After World War II, he coordinated aprenticeship training programs for veterans at Xavir and Booker T. Washington High School in bricklaying, electrical and refrigeration certification, shoe repair, radio repair and carpentry.

In his later years at Xavier he was responsible for development of the Xavier Alumni Association and was active in the United Negro College Fund. He retired in 1970.

Mr. Labat was awareded the Pro ecclesia et Pontifice Medal in 1949 and the Knight of St. Gregory Award in 1977 by the Catholic Church. In 1960, Xavier awarded him the Francis Anthony Drexel Award.

He was a former president of the national council of United Negro College Fund Alumni and the New Orleans Inter-Alumni Council, and Louisiana representative of the National Inter Alumni Councl.

Mr. Labat was a member or former member of the 4th-degree Knights of St. Peter Claver, the Holy Name Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Commission on Human Rights and the archdiocsan School board.

Survivors include three sons, Victor J., Joseph A. and Michael L. Labat; two sisters, Celestine and Veronica Labat and eight grandchildren.

A mass will be said Saturday at noon at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 5500 Paris Ave. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Vincent's Cemetery. Gertrude Geddes, Willis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Source: Times Picayune, 1-16-1997