Parks says goodbye to longtime lawman

Gary Paul Bienvenu, longtime chief of police for the village of Parks, died on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the age of 78.

He had been retired from law enforcement for the past 21 years, having previously served the citizens of Parks for 28 years

Bienvenu was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and also served in the Louisiana National Guard.

He was a longtime member of the Parks Jaycees, St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir, and umpired Little League Softball for many years. Friends and family remember that he loved sitting along the banks of the Bayou Teche and enjoying good company.

The funeral Mass was Saturday, April 12, 2014, in St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church. He was buried at St. Michael Cemetery.

Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville was in charge of arrangements.