Funeral Arrangements for Adrian Vega

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012, at a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, for Adrian M. Vega, Jr., 63, who left his loved ones here to meet Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior on Monday evening, October 29, 2012.

Interment will be in St. John Cemetery.

Rev. Msgr. Keith J. DeRouen, will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral service. Concelebrant will tbe Reverend Chester Arceneaux. The gifts will be carried by Mr. Vega's three grandchildren: Andrew Billeaud, Alex Billeaud and Katja Gillion. Lectors will be Tammy Bernard and Jeannie Oubre. Matthew Stuller will deliver a eulogy. Musical selections will be "Amazing Grace", "Psalm 23", "Ave Maria", "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" and "On Eagles' Wings" for the services.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Mary Catherine Ardoin Vega; one daughter, Christa Billeaud and her husband Chip; four sons, Adrian Vega, III, Carlos Vega and Adrian Miguel Blake Vega and Zachariah Brasseaux and his wife Jennifer; a son-in-law, Jess G. Gillion; and three grandchildren, Andrew Billeaud, Alexander Billeaud and Helen Grace Katja Gillion; two brothers, Tino Vega and Manuel Vega; and four sisters, Tessie Martin, Maria Garcia, Rita Cormier and Laly Haygood, all of Lafayette.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adrian Miguel Vega, Sr. and Eulalia Ventayols Vega; his beloved first wife, Rita Krieg Vega and one daughter, Isabel Vega Gillion.

Mr. Vega was born on November 20, 1948 in Havana, Cuba. He and his family were the first Cuban refugee family to move to this area sponsored by the Reverend Perry Sanders and the First Baptist Church in 1962. He attended Lafayette High School and University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Adrian lived the "American Dream". As a small boy, he came to this country with his family seeking refuge. He remembered being hungry and struggling to overcome a language barrier and living on other people's charity. This softened his heart , molded and influenced his work ethic, which brought him to business ownership with a strong responsibility to care for his community. If you knew Adrian, community meant everyone and anyone around him. His personal generosity helped numerous individuals and organizations. However, he also utilized the blessings from his businesses, Acadiana Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and Acadiana Mazda, to ensure that he gave back to this community that he loved so much. He was proud to be an American having our nation's flag waving above his business daily. He was most proud of being a husband, a father and a grandfather.

Adrian's grandchildren and young son were a constant joy to him. His favorite things to do with them were to watch action movies, snuggled up in bed eating chocolate and hunting at his ranch. His hobbies included his racing team, his ranch, sharing meals with friends, sending food to his neighbors and drinking his "Cuban Coffee".

Pallbearers will be Adrian Vega III, Carlos Vega, Chico Vega, Mickey Comboy, Chip Billeaud, Tony Borman, Bennett Bernard and Glen Fritcher.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Tino Vega, Paul Martin III, Andrew Billeaud, Alex Billeaud and Zach Brasseaux.

The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN Lafayette location on Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and on Friday from 8:00 AM until time of service.

A Rosary will be prayed on Thursday at 6:30 PM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank Ms. Brenda Dugas for her care and compassion; Dr. Karen Roden and staff; and all those family and friends that have reached out during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or on their website at www.HospiceAcadiana.com or to the Lourdes Foundation, 4801 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., Lafayette, LA 70508, the Acadiana Autism Society, acadianaautism.com or the Miles Perret Cancer Services, milesperret.org.

With respect to Mr. Vega and in consideration of the fine family of employees at Acadiana Dodge and Acadiana Mazda, the dealerships will be closed all day on Friday.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com