CFA honors Poches for their philanthropy work

Lafayette – Roy and Catherine Poche of St. Martin Parish were among those honored at the annual Community Foundation of Acadiana’s annual Leaders in Philanthropy Awards luncheon held here earlier this month.
They were among community leaders from Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, ST. Landry, St. Mary and Vermilions parishes honored at the luncheon.
This annual event is a celebration of our region’s most impactful philanthropists.
In presenting the award to the Poches the CFA cited a number of their achievements:
“Their faith is very important to them, and they have actively worked for the success of the St. Rita Catholic Church Fair in Catahoula for more than 50 years.
“Roy has been a member of the Cursillo Ultreya spiritual group for many years. He started the Cursillo walk from Catahoula to Prairie Ronde and has been a participant for the past 23 years.
“He was on the Regional Pastoral Council and represented St. Rita’s Church parish for the Diocese of Lafayette. He is also a former Knights of Columbus member and an active member of the St. Rita Centennial Campaign for the Diocese.
“Catherine founded St. Rita’s Rosary Group and the Rosary Group for the Unborn. She was a religion teacher and a member of the Altar Society and the Church Cleaning Group. She is a member of the church choir, serves as a lector and is a Eucharistic Minister for church and home bound parishioners.
“Roy has owned and been involved with many successful business ventures in the oil and gas industry for more than 40 years. He is one of the majority owners of Superior Derrick LLC, a fabrication company that builds derricks and land rigs. He co-founded Champion Resources with business partner Rodney Verret, and bought and refurbished the old Martin Mills building in St. Martinville.
“An avid sportsman, Roy started the Basin Management Hunting Club to preserve hunting for future generations. He is a past president and currently serves on the club’s board of directors. He also serves on the finance committee and the board of directors for St. Martin Land Inc. Roy was inducted into the 2014 Louisiana Softball Hall of Fame.
“Catherine volunteered at Catahoula Elementary School for many years. She still enjoys dressing up as “Maw Maw Clause” at Christmas time and serving hot chocolate to the students and teachers.
“Roy and Catherine are also member of the Lafayette General Hospital Building Association.
“Natives of St. Martin Parish, Roy graduated from St. Martinville High School and Catherine graduated from Breaux Bridge High School They have been married for 54 years and have five children, 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.”