October 10, 1943 ~ August 11, 2022
Anthony Joseph Traina (Jay), beloved husband, father, and friend, went to be with the lord on August 11 at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in the company of his loving family.
Jay was born on October 10, 1943, in Pascagoula, MS and grew up in Baton Rouge. Jay graduated from Redemptorist High School in 1962. After a short stint in the US Navy, Jay lived in Rhode Island and eventually settled back in Louisiana, where he owned a carpet installation business for over 40 years. Jay enjoyed tennis, fishing, and most of all, going out and spending time with his best friend and wife of 57 years, Evelyn.
He is survived by his loving wife Evelyn Traina, his son Michael Traina and his wife Melissa, his son Jeffrey Traina and his wife Candace, and his three grandchildren Brittanie, Kane, and Carlee. He is also survived by 2 brothers Frank Traina (spouse Lisa) and Joseph Traina (spouse Jackie) and one sister Angie Warner (spouse Brad).
Jay will be remembered as a mischievous, caring, honest and decent man who was loved by everyone who knew him. Join us in a “Celebration of Life & Memorial Service” on Wednesday August 17, 2022, at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs, Louisiana from 5 to 7 pm.
7 comments
Myra T. Patureau
September 2, 2022 at 5:05 pm
A.J.,
Even though it has been a very long time since last I saw you, I remember you so clearly from our days at Redemptorist High School. The legacy that was your life is such a beautiful story. It is easy to see how the many people who knew you loved you so dearly. Thanks for the great memories of those days at RHS and for making the Class of ’62 all the better with your presence. Peace and God bless.
Myra T. Patureau – Forever The Class of ’62
William Flowers
August 17, 2022 at 11:49 am
Joy and I are heart broken with the passing of our Loving Jay , so many great memories of the last 5 yrs here on MS. We had such a ball the best is our weekends together our card night were no holds barred for sure, we would agrivate the girls by playing mine and Jays favorite music,Swamp pop. We would listen and dance on my living room floor. But our Greatest time was our fishing time so many great times just he and I. My last minutes with you I made you a promise that I would make sure Evie and the boys would have no worries and I would see them thru this. You were a truly loved man by all who knew you . I have two great things from you we have the same bird tattoos and I have your happy feet favorite sneakers no one could ever fill your shoes, but each step I take wearing them will be my happy feet time ILove you my brother my friend . Till we meet again with fishing poles in hamd
Carlee Rogers
August 17, 2022 at 5:00 am
to my sweet grandfather, jay
I love you more then my words could ever express and I miss you even more then that. I know you are having a amazing time in heaven, dancing, playing tennis, and keeping a spot warm for all of us down here that will one day join you in paradise. you have always been here for me and the people I hold closest to my heart, you are included in whom I hold closest to my heart. Thank you for simply being you and bringing joy to all of us who love you deeply. You were the best grandpa/ jay bird and I know you are now smiling down and rooting for us, painless and happy. I’ll always remember your sweet comments and funny things you would say . We will all remember you forever . I love you to the moon & back. Until we meet again ❤️
Arthur Keesing
August 16, 2022 at 10:38 pm
To: Eve,Michael,Jeff and all of the family: It has been some of the best and most fun times of my life to have been A.J.’s closest friend throughout our lives, even in our later years since now we are a couple of “old dogs”. As Kings of the neighborhood, we were known on the street as the “Junk Yard Dogs” Everybody thought we were joined at the hip at birth since there wasn’t much we didn’t do together, including joining the Navy. I could write pages of all A.J.’s attributes but knowing as his comrade, shooting pool, “The Pinball Machine Wizard” ( We made a living off of these things without having a job). Taking float trips on tires weathered down Monte Sano Bayou to Harding Blvd after a good rain storm. How we got to be old men , I’ll never know and a fantastic tennis player as well. Even in this late in our lives, we still did things together. On May 23rd I was diagnosed with Covid and A.J. had just called me about a week before. We were going to meet for lunch at Franks Restaurant until I got sick and got pneumonia also but somehow I survived only by the grace of God. I’ve had a collapsed lung twice and my lungs were blistered from Agent Orange after three trips to Vietnam. Just three weeks ago I was cleared by the doctors when they told me I got “Long Covid” with the shortness of breath still now that may last 3 months to one year. We both had Covid at the same time, go figure that. I had a list of things to do as soon as I was well enough and at the top of the page was “Call A.J. next week”. Angie called me Thursday on my youngest son’s birthday “Jeffery” August 11th to tell me that A.J. passed away that morning. I will always have a place in my heart for one of my very closest friends of which I’ve been blessed to have several. I will always miss him dearly and I pray that he’ll put in a good word for me that I will get to see him again someday when my time comes. I always thought I would be first since cheating death on several occasions. Rest In Peace Pal, I will be along some day. Art Keesing.
Candace Traina
August 16, 2022 at 4:40 pm
Thank you my sweet Jay for loving me as your own. I promise you I will take care of Evie and Jeffrey all the days of my life. You was a great friend, loving father in law but most of all the best father to me! Love always, Candace
Bill Flowers and family
August 15, 2022 at 9:44 pm
I love and you miss y’all. The way I’ve looked at Uncle AJ my whole life was very similar to my Dad. Men who you can always learn something from. When you grow up seeing the way other adults treat our fathers with full respect you tend to pay attention and remember that. It gives us all an example of how we all should hold yourselves. Thank you Uncle AJ for being one of the very few men to show me this in my life. My home is open to all of my family and there loved ones. Whether you live close or far. Anytime any of you need to get away from everyday life my house will be ready for y’all😍. Please do when you can.
Douglas and Deborah Flowers
August 15, 2022 at 2:31 am
It is hard to express how sorry we are for all who knew and loved him. AJ was a great man, father, husband, brother, and so much more. One of a kind, never a negative word came from him, or could be said about him. You are in our thoughts and prayers, if there is anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to call. We love you all, heartfelt condolences from your Rhode Island family.
Love you all,!
Deb and Doug, and family.