A Day at Lake St. John

 

Saturday's weather could only be described as sublime.  I attended a get together at Lake St. John in celebration of three important birthdays: Tony Byrne, whose house hosted the event, turned 90.  He was mayor of Natchez for around 30 years and has been missed ever since.  Tony is ever young, still playing tennis and looking not a day over 70 at the very most.  Natchez ran as a smooth machine during his tenure as mayor, even through the troubled days of the Civil Rights movement.  He was also kind, offering the key to the courthouse and a cot where our local and beloved "bag lady" could find respite and rest.  He loves animals, and City Hall became home to a cat -- a three-legged yellow tabby named Tripod, whose memorial stone still announces his presence some 40 years later.  Tony is a raconteur of the first order and to hear him tell his stories is a delight and an education.

It was also his daughter, Christie's 64th birthday, a beautiful young lady I hadn't seen since high school.  Remembering what a sweet and pretty teenager she had been was easy while listening to her talk of her children and her grands, and I hope her visit home brought pleasant Natchez memories.

In addition, it was his goddaughter René's 60th birthday.  René was just a toddler when I was in high school.  Her father, Clyde Adams was the coach at our little school, Trinity Episcopal Day School, where he coached the basketball team to State victory, and was loved by everyone -- students and parents and fellow teachers.  Clyde was one of Tony's best friends, so I was not surprised to learn that he was Renés godfather.  One of René's first memories of me was of my weeping inconsolably while we put my beloved buckskin, Pedro, to sleep after a long and gentle life, patiently carrying children on his back through the woods on the banks of the Mississippi River.

So it was no surprise to find the house lot loaded with cars and the yard swarming with guests, both young and old.  I'm at the age (68) where I'm losing friends I thought I'd know forever.  I believe Tony will outlive us all, his joy for life and bona fide affection for his fellow man and beast carrying him along for many years to come.

It was a warm spring day with the perfect breeze coming off the lake, and I found myself swinging under the protective branches of an ancient oak tree.  "Now if this isn't nice, I don't know what is," I thought to myself and basked in the dappled shade and remembered my times at the lake as a child where I swam and waterskiid without a worry in the world.  A pefect afternoon.

May 18, 2026

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good Night...

I bet I've lost over 35 friends and parents of friends in the last ten years.  Sometimes it seems as though I have more dead friends than live ones.  And this past week, I lost a really special friend, Andre Pascalis Volant de La Barre of New Orleans.  

I only knew Andre for the last ten years of his life.  He was -- shall we say -- special.  Andre was handsome, brilliant, funny, outrageous and, most of all, kind.  He was one of the kindest people I've ever known.  I saw Andre clothe people who needed clothes, feed people who needed food, give encouragement and spiritual support to those who needed it most.

Andre was from New Orleans.  I'll post his obituary here, for there is nothing I can add, except that I've added a few stories told about him at the party honoring him after his funeral services.  My wish is that you all meet and know someone as special as Andre.  And recognize that person for who he or she is while they are still alive.

Andre, here's to the memories:

Andre Pascalis Volant de La Barre

Obituary Guest Book "an incredible man. thank your for your bright and generous..." - scott symmank View Sign Andre Pascalis Volant de La Barre, beloved event planner and philanthropist, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2017 at the age of 59. Mr. de La Barre, the eighth generation of de La Barres in Louisiana, was preceded in death by his father, Francois Duffossard Volant de La Barre. He attended De La Salle High School, Louisiana State University, and the Parsons School of Design in New York City. In addition to his work in architecture and design, he planned many of New Orleans' best-remembered events for more than thirty years.  He was one of the Millennium Monarchs for the Krewe of Shangri-la. Mr. de La Barre was an enthusiastic community advocate and patron of the arts. His work benefitted a multitude of nonprofits, including: Save Our Cemeteries, the Audubon Institute, Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign Fund, the New Orleans Opera Association, Liberty House, Southern Repertory Center, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Council of Jewish Women, Preservation Resource Center, the United Services for AIDS Foundation, and the Vieux Carré Property Owners' and Residents' Foundation. "His Royal Highness" will always be remembered for the depth of his generosity, his razor-sharp wit, his ability to fill any room with laughter, and that time he wore cow print pants with his tuxedo jacket.  Survivors include his mother, Mary Giovingo de La Barre; his sister, Maria Carmen de La Barre; his godchildren, Logan Carmen de La Barre-Hays and Sales Volant de La Barre; and his cherished weimaraner, Camelot. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. until service time. Interment will be private. To view and sign the online guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com. Also, please enjoy these memories that were shared by his friends: