Leo Edward Lauricella Jr.

On August 16, 2026, at 76 years old, Harahan, Louisiana lost one of its truest originals. Born, raised, and forever rooted in Harahan, Edward was a man of huge heart, endless stories, and just enough mischief to keep life interesting. At 17, he and his twin brother, Leslie Edwin, enlisted in the Navy as aircraft firefighters. With identical buzzcuts and an identical instinct for trouble, no one could tell them apart—a loophole they exploited to the absolute fullest. Decades later, Edward and his brother remained fiercely proud of their contribution as pioneers in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA), helping scientists understand genetics, cognitive health, and resilience.

Edward lived life with dirt on his boots and sawdust on his hands. After deciding traditional schooling couldn't hold a candle to real-world experience, Leo took his talents outside with Davey Tree, where he proudly cared for the iconic historical oaks at Oak Alley Plantation. Following in the footsteps of his father, Leo Sr., he had a deep reverence for nature. Whether duck hunting, deer hunting, or taking harrowing sailing trips in the Gulf, Edward was in his element outdoors. He passed that deep respect for the wild down to his daughters, along with an unyielding requirement to visit every single military museum whenever the family camper hit the road.

Back home, Edward was a master gardener and an absolute titan in the kitchen. He and his sister, Deborah, spent hours swapping gardening secrets and recipes. If Edward grew it or caught it, he turned it into a feast—crawfish boils, BBQ shrimp, fisherman stew, redfish courtbouillon, mirliton stuffing, and jambalaya. He even mastered his mother Leslie’s famed pralines and fruit cake cookies. Every year, Edward and his brother, Edwin, hosted a legendary pig roast at their Harahan shop, feeding the entire community and ensuring everyone left full and laughing.

To the film industry, Edward built magic. A proud, long-standing member of IATSE Local 478 alongside his good buddy Chuck S., he started building movie sets in 1982 with The Big Easy. As a skilled construction foreman, Leo helped build the iconic worlds of Interview with the Vampire, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Monster’s Ball, Ray, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (IMDb link). Yet, no matter how grand the set, his favorite place was always in the RV traveling with his best friend and the love of his life, Pat, whom he married in 1983. Together, they blended a family with his daughters, Dawn and Summer, welcomed their daughter, Stacy, and eventually took on the grandest adventure of all: being Pap-paw to Brody, Joseph, Kasey, Austyn, and Leo.

A proud Freemason (Louisiana Lodge 102 F&AM) and a Jefferson City Buzzard alongside his lifelong pal George T., Edward marched until his legs said no—at which point he simply started cooking breakfast for everyone else before the Mardi Gras parade.

Edward leaves behind his loving wife Pat, daughters Dawn, Summer, and Stacy, five cherished grandchildren, his brother Edwin, his sister Deborah, and his loyal dog, Buddy. He proved that with patience, the right ingredients, and the people you love, you can build a truly remarkable life.

Celebration of life is planned for November. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Arbor Day Foundation and planting a tree in his memory.