Allen J. Manuel passed away on July 29, 2020 at his residence in Eunice at the age of 84. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, July 31, 2020 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Eunice. Interment will follow in the St. Paul Cemetery with Father Hampton Davis, officiating.

      Allen was a native of Eunice and was a 1955 graduate of St. Edmund's High School. In the mid 1950s he played guitar in "The Frantic Five," an early rock n roll band; he passed his musical talents down to his children (all except Deedy, poor baby). A brick mason by trade, he owned and operated Allen J. Manuel Masonry Contractor for over fifty years, laying bricks on hundreds of homes across Acadiana and as far away as Atlanta, Georgia. It brought him great pride to drive around the "back roads" and point out all the houses on which he had laid bricks. Later in life, he joined his wife Georgie in making traditional Cajun Mardi Gras screen masks, and together they helped spread the Cajun culture at various fairs and festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He especially enjoyed meeting and conversing with fellow French speakers.

      He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Georgia Ann "Georgie" McGee Manuel; two daughters, Cindi Detraz and husband Scott Detraz of Eunice, and Alicia Manuel of Gulf Breeze, Florida; two sons, Jaime O. Manuel and companion Marcie Duke of Eunice, and Joel Manuel and wife Crystal Carter Manuel of Baton Rouge; ten grandchildren: Kayley Langley Hannon and husband Brian Hannon, Adam Langley, Ian Hands and wife Mary Hands, Lauren Rice, Nick Rice, Rhiannon Bessmertny Patshy and husband Kyle Patshy, Michael Palmer, Carrie Mae Manuel, Elliott Manuel, and Emily Manuel; and eight great-grandchildren: Jack Ardoin, Colin Ardoin, Landon Langley, Adrian Hands, Malakai Patshy, Myia Patshy, Bodhi Hannon, and Georgie “Gigi” Hannon.

      He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecelia and Artemon "Temon" Manuel; his daughter, Deidre Denise "Deedy" Manuel McGee; and his sister, Myrtle Manuel Gotreaux.

     A rosary will be recited at 9:30 am on Friday morning .  In keeping with quarantine and social distancing guidelines, those attending will be required to wear masks for the rosary and funeral mass.

     In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice.

     Family and friends may view this obituary and sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com

     Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Eunice, 1301 West Laurel Ave, (337)457.3371 is in charge of arrangements.