Born at Point Cadet, Biloxi in 1936, Julius Broussard spent his early years in the Cruso Camps, but felt he was raised in a “virtual boy’s paradise”. While the housing that was provided to his seafood working parents, Lessaint and Anna Broussard, was bare-bones constructed, the coastal waters provided days of entertainment, nutrition and later work for Julius, his brothers and other friends. They would spend their days crabbing, fishing, swimming and any other activity that sparked a young man’s interest.
The homes in the seafood camps were constructed of single sided tongue and groove filled with open knotholes that did not afford much privacy. The layouts were shotgun style, one room in front of the other, with no electricity and a community toilet down the way. One of the rooms would even be open to the Louisiana migrant workers when they would come for work, speaking little to no English. They slept on mattresses made of Spanish moss, covered with sheets made of flour sacks, as were most of their clothes.
The family’s days would begin at 3-4 o’clock in the morning with the women going to work at the factories and the men going to the boats. Even as a young boy, Julius would go to work in the factory before his school day began and return when it ended. As a teenager, he would spend his summers and weekends working with his father on the boats until he was old enough to work on his own.
Some years after running shrimp boats for the factories, Julius married Judy Schultz and began a family. He then went to work with his father-in-law on the “Miss Ocean Springs” which he and Judy later inherited. He would serve as captain of the boat until he was later disabled.
Among his many achievements, Julius Broussard was a US Navy Veteran, parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church, a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Michael’s Altar Boy Prayer Group and the French Club. A great supporter of Fr. Quinn and the Saltillo Mission, he made 54 trips to assist in the mission.
Julius served on the Blessing of the Fleet Committee and his boat received awards five years in a row.
Julius Dolze Broussard passed away on his 73rd birthday, July 3, 2009. His contributions and dedication to the seafood industry are to be commended.
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