Elmo John Cerise Jr.

Elmo John Cerise Jr slipped his mooring on Thursday, Nov 2, 2023 at the age of 73 and headed to smoother waters and fair winds from abeam. A native of New Orleans and lifelong sailor having attended St Pius, Christian Brothers and graduating from De La Salle high School in the Class of 1968. He went on to St Leo’s College and thereafter was a real estate agent for many years and involved in the real estate world. His sailing career took him all over the waters of Lake Pontchartrain, Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans racing competitively as a crewmember in many National and International events, winning many of the events having attended. Despite his many sailing accomplishments, he was always rather modest and unassuming in his actions and behavior on and off of the water. A lover of music and Jimmy Buffett in particular, he often could be found wearing shorts, sandals and of course a Hawaiian shirt to complete the ensemble of a life enjoyed. Never a worry in the world and always a pleasant attitude with those around him, both on and off the water. John was the son of Doris Karter Cerise and Elmo J Cerise MD, who predeceased him, they having passed in 2013 and 2011 respectively. He is survived by his children, Ashley Cerise Riley (Lon), Monique Andree Cerise and Elmo J Cerise III (fiancée Shelley Ferrill MD), Marie Ganucheau Everitt (Keary) their mother, his grandchildren Keegan Everitt Riley, Avery Elizabeth Cerise and Eleanor Elizabeth Cerise, his sister Karter Cerise Potts (Ewell) and his nieces and nephews Brock E Pellerin (Lindsey), Casey Pellerin Westguard (Mark), Corrie Pellerin Stakenborghs (Robert), Katherin Pellerin Furtado (Stephen), Ewell Cardwell Potts IV (Jennifer) and Cerise Potts Bermudez (Peter). His sister Cynthia Cerise Pellerin predeceased him, she having passed on and his wife, Bobbie Jones Cerise predeceased him, she having passed on January 10, 2011 and her birthday being Nov 2, the same day as John slipped his mooring to join her. Relatives and friends of John and his family are invited to attend funeral services at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd, New Orleans on Monday November 6th, 2023. Visitation at 10:00am and funeral services at 11:00am. Interment will be private and there will be a celebration of life at Southern Yacht Club at noon thirty in the 1849 Bar where friends of the family are invited to attend. Online guestbook at www.greenwoodfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Sailing New Orleans Inc. or a charity of your choice.

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