Nicholas Perez, Jr.,peacefully entered heaven on May 28, 2018 at his residence in Lafayette surrounded by his family at the age of 76. He was born in Delacroix Island, La on June 27, 1941 to Nicholas Perez and Malvina Robin Perez. Graduating as Valedictorian from St Bernard High School in 1959, in September of that year he enrolled at LSU to begin three years of pre-pharmacy curriculum, followed by two years of pharmacy education at Northeast Louisiana University, receiving his pharmacist degree in 1964. Throughout his life, Nick was always open to new challenges and opportunities, therefore had an interesting and varied work career. The same year he received his pharmacy degree, he joined Abbott Labs as a Detailed Sales Representative calling on physicians for the next 15 years from 1964-1980. During this time, he continued to work part time as a pharmacist. Knowing that his professional positions required being successful in dealing with people, in 1973 he enrolled in the Dale Carnegie Effective Speaking and Human Relations program. After completion, he became a part-time Carnegie Institute instructor for the next 11 years, from 1973 - 1984 while maintaining his full time work positions. From 1980 - 1982, he became a sales rep for Penn Mutual Life Insurance company selling property/casualty insurance. He accepted another opportunity in 1982 when he joined the Louisiana Retailers Association as President and lobbyist, which he held for the next 16 years. During that time, he was particularly proud of being involved in reversing “Slip and Fall” legislation, which held retailers accountable for customers who slipped/fell while on their premises. The attorney who wrote the bill to reverse that liability was Rep. Manny Fernandez; Nick was the lobbyist who presented the bill to the legislature; both men from the tiny town of Delacroix Island, LA. In 1998, he returned to work as a full time retail pharmacist. That same year, he was elected to become a board member of the Retailers Casualty Insurance Company, a position he held for 20 years, from 1998 until his death. As a legacy to honor his father and mother who worked so hard to inspire and instill in him the value of hard work and education, he completed refresher courses each year in order to maintain an active pharmacy license for 54 years, from 1964 to the time of his death. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Pauline Lasserre Derbonne Perez, his daughter Kristie Perez Huckaby and her husband Jeff, his son Brent Perez and his wife Pearl, his sister Vena Perez Bourgeois and her husband Jerry, his nephew Randy Bourgeois, niece Stacy Bourgeois Allocco and her husband Jack, his step sons, David Derbonne and Rick Derbonne and his wife Kathryn, his great niece Katherine Allocco and great nephew Nick Allocco. His pride and joy were his grandchildren; Jordan and Jeremy Huckaby of Baton Rouge, Brenna Huckaby of Salt Lake City, Utah, Lexi Perez, of Seattle, WA, and Dominique and Danielle Derbonne of Buford, GA. Bringing an extra douse of joy were his great-grands, Kyndall Huckaby, Lilah Huckaby and Madizen Huckaby. He was preceded in death by his father, Nicholas Perez, his mother, Malvina Robin Perez, his sister Joan Perez, and brother Eugene Perez. Pallbearers will be Don Lintzen of Baton Rouge, Tom Sova of Baton Rouge, Eric Toce of Milton, Chris deClouet and Andre deClouet of Lafayette, and Josh Lasserre of Austin, TX. Honorary pallbearers are Rock Lasserre, Jr., and members of the Retailers Casualty Insurance Company: Carl Carstens, Alexandria; Frank Brame, Alexandria; Todd Smith, Baton Rouge; and Rick Hodges, Barow, FL. Additional honorary pallbearers are members of the Summit Consulting Group: Hank Chiles, Baton Rouge; Carol Sipe, Lakeland, FL; and Dave Conway of Lakeland, FL. Memorial contributions can be made in Nick’s name to St. Joseph Hospice Center in Lafayette, the Miles Perret Cancer Center in Lafayette, or the St Joseph Catholic Church in Milton, LA. Heartfelt appreciation is extended by the Perez family to all the wonderful friends and family who supported us with continuous prayers, words of comfort, delicious food, and unending acts of love and support. A Rosary was prayed Thursday, May 31 Martin & Castille Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church in Milton. Reverend William Schambough, Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Milton, will conduct the funeral services. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery; also in Milton. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.
