Simon Joseph Freyou, Sr.

New Iberia - Simon Joseph Freyou Sr. of New Iberia passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 surrounded by his family in their home on Freyou Road. He was 83 years old.

Visitation will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia on Saturday, August 29 at 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at Antique Rose Ville immediately following the funeral services. A private interment ceremony will be at a later date in St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery, Grand Coteau, La.

A meticulous and well-respected civil engineer, Simon was born on January 7, 1943 in New Orleans, La. and moved to New Iberia with his parents shortly after World War II. He attended Immaculata Seminary in his early teens, graduated from Catholic High School, and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL). Simon worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Louisiana State Department of Public Works, Diamond Crystal Salt Mine, and Kingston Construction before opening his own engineering firm, Simon J. Freyou & Associates.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Linda Domingue Freyou, and children Patrick Freyou (Cheryl), Karen Bonin (Patrick), Jenny Schopp (Jonathan) and Elizabeth Freyou (Joshua Cook.)

He will be deeply missed by all, including grandchildren Katelyn Freyou and Kyrsten Freyou (Luke Willet), Nicholas Bonin (Hannah Newsom), and Meyer, Morgan and Madison Schopp. He loved his grandchildren dearly and continued a tradition for them of drawing ducks on the backs of their hands.

He also is survived by Dwight Polk, and his younger siblings Peggy Rudasill, Bobby Freyou, Rosemary Evans (David) and Rachelle Hardy (Kevin), as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Simon had a strong work ethic from a young age and before starting his career, he worked in high school and college at Himel Motor Supply. He always understood how things operated and could build, take apart, and reassemble just about anything. He even completely rebuilt his first car with his father, a beloved Studebaker nicknamed Purple People Eater. Academically, he was an exceptional student who was involved in several extracurricular activities. A few of his favorite memories were being on the undefeated Catholic High School 1960 State Champion Debate Team, being a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, and serving as president of Theta Xi fraternity at USL.

As a professional engineer, he helped design and construct numerous projects, including Operation Impact in Downtown New Iberia, which resulted in the current Main Street sidewalks, planters, and parking spots, as well as Bouligny Plaza. He also planned flood control measures for the McIlhenny Company on Avery Island and completed infrastructure work at the Port of Iberia. Simon was instrumental in recovery efforts for Iberia Parish after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and often famously said, “There is no such thing as over-engineering.”

He loved woodworking in the barn behind his 1904 Acadian-style home, and built many of the cabinets, doors, and most of the finishes while overseeing the 19-year restoration project. He also enjoyed rebuilding another car, his candy apple red 1970 Corvette, which was a labor of love. To help fulfill a dream of Linda’s, Simon engineered the reconstruction of the caretaker’s cottage from Shadows-on-the-Teche after they moved it next to their home in 1993. The cottage currently operates as Antique Rose Ville and the pond in front features a bridge that was designed and built by Simon.

True to his generous spirit and character, he was a longtime member of the New Iberia Optimist Club and specialized in creating props for the club’s Haunted House and also volunteered for the annual Christmas tree lot. For a few years, he was even Santa Claus for Les Jeunes Amies.

Simon’s engineering acumen made him an exceptional expert witness in the courtroom, and he often donated his time and skills for local schools and churches, and for those in need. He was known for keeping a gold Cross pen or mechanical pencil in his chest pocket in case he had to sketch a design at a moment’s notice, including when helping his children or other students with science fair projects. He enjoyed duck hunting, boating, and was a good friend. Simon made time to assist or visit with anyone. His kindness, quick wit, and sense of humor endeared him to many and kept them entertained. Additionally, his faith sustained him as he persevered through battling cancer and other significant medical issues for nearly 30 years, during which he overcame the odds and rallied back several times.

Simon cherished traveling with Linda to Alaska, France, Italy, Germany, Cuba, Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, and other countries and islands. His love of animals, especially dogs, was well known, and he was an amazing dog sitter for his children and grandchildren. Thanksgiving and Christmas just won’t be the same without his cornbread dressing.

He was preceded in death by his son, Simon J. Freyou Jr., and his parents, Robert & Edwina Rachelle Freyou. Reflecting his true spirit, Simon requested that all attending his services wear colors other than black.

Pallbearers will be Nicholas Bonin, Patrick Bonin, Joshua Cook, Mark Domingue, Theo Domingue, Patrick Freyou, Jonathon Schopp, Meyer Schopp, Luke Willet and David Young.

The family would like to thank the staffs of Acadiana Rehabilitation Hospital, Foundations Hospice, Pellerin Funeral Home, and Dr. James B. Falterman, along with Leslie Boudreaux, Lenise Powell and Nicole Sistrunk for their kind, compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Edward School 2nd Century Fund, Catholic High School Endowment, or the Simon J. Freyou Jr. Oncology Fund.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560 (337.365.3331)