Simon Freyou Obituary, Death – Remembering New Iberia Civil Engineer and Beloved Family Man

The New Iberia community is mourning the passing of Simon Joseph Freyou Sr., a respected civil engineer, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and longtime community member who died peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, surrounded by his family at their home on Freyou Road. He was 83 years old.

Simon was born on January 7, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved with his parents to New Iberia shortly after World War II. Over the course of his life, he built a reputation for intelligence, hard work, generosity, technical skill, and a willingness to help others.

Remembering Simon Joseph Freyou Sr.

Simon was a meticulous and highly respected engineer whose career included work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisiana State Department of Public Works, Diamond Crystal Salt Mine, and Kingston Construction. He eventually established his own engineering firm, Simon J. Freyou & Associates.

His professional expertise contributed to numerous projects throughout the New Iberia and Iberia Parish area. Among his notable work was Operation Impact in Downtown New Iberia, which helped create the Main Street sidewalks, planters, parking spaces, and Bouligny Plaza.

He also worked on flood-control measures for the McIlhenny Company on Avery Island and infrastructure projects at the Port of Iberia. Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Simon played an important role in recovery efforts for Iberia Parish.

He was known for his belief that there was always value in careful planning and famously said, “There is no such thing as over-engineering.”

Education and Early Life

Simon attended Immaculata Seminary during his early teenage years before graduating from Catholic High School. He later earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

He was an exceptional student and participated in several activities during his school and college years. Among his proudest memories was being part of the undefeated Catholic High School 1960 State Champion Debate Team.

He was also a member of the Blue Key Honor Society and served as president of the Theta Xi fraternity at USL.

Before beginning his professional engineering career, Simon developed a strong work ethic while working at Himel Motor Supply during high school and college.

A Gifted Builder and Woodworker

Simon had an extraordinary ability to understand how things worked. He could build, dismantle, repair, and reassemble countless objects, skills that became an important part of his life.

With his father, he completely rebuilt his first automobile, a Studebaker affectionately known as the Purple People Eater.

Later, he devoted himself to restoring his 1904 Acadian-style home. The nearly two-decade project included building many of the home’s cabinets, doors, and finishes himself.

He also rebuilt a candy apple red 1970 Corvette, another project that reflected his love of craftsmanship and automobiles.

Simon used his engineering skills to help fulfill a dream of his wife, Linda, when the caretaker’s cottage from Shadows-on-the-Teche was reconstructed beside their home after being moved there in 1993. The property eventually became Antique Rose Ville, and Simon designed and built the bridge over its pond.

Family and Loved Ones

Simon is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Linda Domingue Freyou, and their children:

Patrick Freyou (Cheryl)
Karen Bonin (Patrick)
Jenny Schopp (Jonathan)
Elizabeth Freyou (Joshua Cook)

He was a devoted grandfather to Katelyn Freyou, Kyrsten Freyou (Luke Willet), Nicholas Bonin (Hannah Newsom), Meyer Schopp, Morgan Schopp, and Madison Schopp.

His grandchildren held a particularly special place in his heart. One of the family traditions he continued was drawing ducks on the backs of their hands.

Simon is also survived by Dwight Polk and his siblings Peggy Rudasill, Bobby Freyou, Rosemary Evans (David), and Rachelle Hardy (Kevin), as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his son, Simon J. Freyou Jr., and his parents, Robert and Edwina Rachelle Freyou.

A Life of Service and Generosity

Simon was deeply involved in his community and was a longtime member of the New Iberia Optimist Club. He helped create props for the organization’s Haunted House and volunteered at its annual Christmas tree lot. For several years, he also portrayed Santa Claus for Les Jeunes Amies.

His engineering expertise was frequently used to help others. Simon served as an expert witness in court and often donated his time and knowledge to local schools, churches, students, and people in need.

He was rarely without a gold Cross pen or mechanical pencil in his chest pocket, ready to sketch an idea or design whenever inspiration or a problem required it.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Simon was remembered for his kindness, humor, quick wit, and willingness to make time for people.

Faith, Travel and Family Traditions

Simon remained deeply connected to his faith throughout his life. His faith sustained him through nearly three decades of cancer and other serious medical challenges, during which he repeatedly overcame difficult circumstances and continued moving forward.

He and Linda also shared a love of travel, visiting destinations including Alaska, France, Italy, Germany, Cuba, Argentina, Ecuador, and Spain, among other countries and islands.

Simon had a particular love for animals, especially dogs, and became a trusted dog sitter for his children and grandchildren.

For his family, holidays will now carry a profound sense of his absence. Thanksgiving and Christmas will not be the same without Simon’s beloved cornbread dressing.

Simon Freyou Funeral and Memorial Service

Visitation will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia on Saturday, August 29, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12:00 p.m.

A celebration of life will follow immediately after the funeral services at Antique Rose Ville.

A private interment ceremony will take place at a later date at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery in Grand Coteau, Louisiana.

In keeping with Simon’s wishes, those attending his services are asked to wear colors other than black.

A Lasting Legacy

Simon Freyou leaves behind a remarkable legacy of engineering, craftsmanship, family devotion, faith, community service, and generosity.

His fingerprints can be found in projects throughout Iberia Parish, in the home he carefully restored, in the structures he built, in the students and families he helped, and most importantly, in the lives of the people who knew him.

His family will remember a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His community will remember an accomplished engineer who never hesitated to share his knowledge or lend a helping hand.

The family has expressed gratitude to the staffs of Acadiana Rehabilitation Hospital, Foundations Hospice, Pellerin Funeral Home, and Dr. James B. Falterman, as well as Leslie Boudreaux, Lenise Powell, and Nicole Sistrunk, for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Edward School 2nd Century Fund, Catholic High School Endowment, or the Simon J. Freyou Jr. Oncology Fund.

Simon Joseph Freyou Sr. will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched through his work and generosity.

May Simon Freyou rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in the extraordinary life, love, laughter, and lasting memories he leaves behind.