Mark Andrew Bertrand

Mr. Mark A. Bertrand, 42, of Biloxi, MS, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2011, in Ocean Springs. Mark was born in Baton Rouge, LA and had been a resident of the coast for the past two years. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran with ten years of service after which he was employed with the U. S. Department of Defense in various capacities. He then served with the U. S. Air Force Reserves, ART, with the 403rd Squadron at Keesler AFB. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He attended St. Mary Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Man of Manresa, and a member of the Gulf Coast Southern Cruisers. He enjoyed making Rosaries and jewelry which he gave to family members and friends. He was a man of God, country and family. Mark was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, Elton and Mary Bertrand and Newton and Josie Raffray. He is survived by his wife Florence Bertrand and his son, Samuel Bertrand of Biloxi; daughter, Alexandra McQuiston of Plaquemine, LA; step-daughter, Mellissa Burk of Las Cruces, NM; his parents, Gene and Bobbie Bertrand of Addis, LA; his siblings, Carol (Joe) Bates, Wendy (Wade) Gill, Gary (Missy) Bertrand, James (Maria) Bertrand, and David (Carol) Bertrand all of the Baton Rouge, LA area; nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews. Pallbearers will be his nephews of the Baton Rouge, LA area, Chad Pierce, Aaron Bertrand, Matthew Gill, Chase Pierce, Andrew Gill, James Mott, and his niece, Zoe Bertrand (honorary). In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Marys Catholic Church, 8343 Woolmarket Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532, or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 402 S. Kirkland St., Brusly, LA 70719. Visitation is Monday, April 4, 2011, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Marys Catholic Church in Woolmarket where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. A memorial service will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brusly, LA at a later date.