John Albert Potier, Sr.BREAUX BRIDGE - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for John Albert Potier, Sr., age 70, of Parks, Louisiana, who passed away at his home on Friday, January 20, 2017. Interment will be in St. Bernard Cemetery.John was a beloved husband, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend who loved children and showed them much compassion. For over 33 years, John was married to his devoted loving wife, Mary Margaret Baltazar Potier. He was born on September 27, 1946 in New Iberia, Louisiana to Mr. & Mrs. Harold J. Potier, Jr. John, one of four siblings, was raised by his aunt and uncle, Mary Ella Fontenette-Olivier and Ralph Olivier. John graduated from St. Edwards Catholic School in 1961 and Jonas Henderson Sr. High School, New Iberia, in 1965. At the age of 10, John became a musician, eventually playing the organ, piano and the trumpet. He followed his parents' and grandparents' legacy in developing a love for music; Hypolite Potier, Gustave Fontenette, Sr., Gustave Fontenette, Jr. and Annette Coleman. During his adult years, he played with such well-known artists as Bobby Blue Bland, Joe Tex, and the Drifters along with his brother, Harold J. Poitier, Jr. In addition to being a musician, John worked as a surgical technician at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He also had the distinction of being the first African American Paramedic at Acadian Ambulance Service in Lafayette. For many years John worked in the Sheriff's Department in Breaux Bridge and at Arco/Vaster Oil and BP Oil Companies in Venice, Louisiana until his retirement at age 60. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Margaret Baltazar Potier; an uncle, John P. Fontenette of San Antoino, TX; sister, Claire M.S. Potier (Charlie Chalmers) of Hartford, CT; brothers in-law, Michael, John Eddie(Mary), Van Ray, Brian Keith Baltazar of Breaux Bridge, LA; sister-in-law, Louette Batiste (Shelton) of Breaux Bridge, LA; son, Major Jonald Vito, US Army (Africa) and four step-children, Colonel Robert Carr, US Army, Chicago, III, LTC Clayton Carr, Maryland U.S. Army, Tina Carr and Precious Danos, Patterson, LA; children he raised, Jarrett Batiste(Alexis), Jerald Batiste, Shannon Batiste, Jerrall Batiste of Breaux Bridge, LA. John is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, and his best friend/cousin, Gwendolyn Jones-Kelly.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hypolite and Teresa Trapau-Potier and Gustave J. Fontenette, Sr. and Jennie Sylva-Fontenette; parents, Harold J. Potier, Sr. & Mercedes Fontenette-Potier; brother, Harold J. Potier, Jr. and his sister, Marilyn Teresa Potier; son, John Albert Potier, Jr.Visitation hours will be Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Syrie Funeral Home from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.Sign the guestbook online at www.syriefh.comArrangements have been entrusted to Syrie Funeral Home, Inc. of Lafayette, LA.