Henry Albert Mestayer

New Iberia - A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia for Henry Albert Mestayer, age 89, who passed away peacefully at his residence with his loving wife by his side on Saturday, April 6, 2024, in New Iberia. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 10:00 am until service time at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia. A repass will be held at the fellowship hall of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia immediately following the service. Henry Albert Mestayer was born on September 24, 1934, in New Iberia where he remained a lifelong resident. He had a wonderful memory for names, especially his customers from Taylor's Drug Store where he worked 12-hour days for most of his life. Henry was especially loyal and kind to his customers and employees. After his retirement he lost a good portion of his vision due to macular degeneration and had difficulty with faces, but he could usually pick up on who he was talking to after some cagey small talk. It was often after retirement when out in New Iberia he would get complemented and thanked for his kindness and service during his years at the pharmacy. The only gripes noted were related to his gift-wrapping ability. When the store was super busy during Christmas and short staffed sometimes, he would help out in the gift-wrapping department. There were many sour looks after his speedy wrapping job! He had a dry sense of humor and even on his last day he was able to make jokes with his sweet care giver Linda. He loved boating and days at Cypremort Point fishing and cooking with Terry Badeaux and Ed Landry. When his vision loss was at the point where he was unable to drive, he built a dock on the bayou behind the house and said he was going to go to town in his small boat. That never worked out as planned but it was a valiant effort. When his vision faded further, he had Alexa in every room and loved talking to her about the weather and current events and having her play his Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, etc. Henry will be dearly missed. Henry is survived by his loving wife of over 63 years, Ella Romero Mestayer; his children, Angela Mestayer McManus (Michael) and Ross Mestayer (Sandra Cyr); as well as his his grandchildren, Michael John McManus, Alexandra Grace McManus, Sarah Kathleen McManus, and Tayor Henry McManus. He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix C, Mestayer and Maud Delaney Mestayer; as well as his siblings, Dolores Mestayer Boutte, Peggy Mestayer Estorge, Felix Delaney Mestayer, and Betty Mestayer Tunstall. The family wishes to offer a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff who cared for Henry in his home when his health had him at his worst. Linda and Gertrude during the day and Linda and Diane during the night. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in memory of Henry Albert Mestayer to the St. Jude Foundation, https://fundraising.stjude.org/. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.

Henry Albert Mestayer

September 24, 1934 - April 6, 2024