Visitation begins Wednesday night for former state lawmaker Butch Gautreaux who passed away Saturday at the age of 72. Gautreaux represented the Morgan City area for 16 years in the state legislature. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, says Gautreaux was a strong voice for the less fortunate.
“He was one of former Governor Kathleen Blanco’s top leaders when it came to the budget, there was not anything that man in my eyes could not get done,” said Gautreaux.
Gautreaux also served in the Navy from 1968 to 1972 after graduating from Central Catholic High School. He was also a small business owner for 30 years in Morgan City. Handwerk says Gautreaux worked well with both sides of the aisle when it came to managing the state’s finances.
“And he didn’t have to completely agree with them to be able to work with them on things and that’s something I think we can all learn a lesson from,” said Handwerk.
Handwerk says Gautreaux also worked to secure funding for our coast.
The funeral service is Thursday morning at 10 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morgan City.