August Joseph La Nasa, 91, passed away peacefully at his home on February 24, 2024, with his two sons by his side and Luciano Pavarotti singing in the background. A native New Orleanian, August (“Augie” “Gus”) was born on September 21, 1932, the oldest of three children to Alfred Joseph La Nasa and Antonina (“Nina”) Meredino. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dominic A. (“Mickey”) and is survived by his wife, Willie Hundley La Nasa, sons Alfred John La Nasa and Philip Joseph La Nasa (m. Rachel), and step-son Robert Jeffrey La Combe, and 3 grandchildren, Lucy, Jake, and Nina, and his sister, Nina Woolverton, and several nieces and a nephews.

August was born in Gentilly and was a graduate of St. James Major Parochial School and Jesuit High School, class of 1950, where he was the Captain of the band and trumpet player. August went on to obtain a B.A. degree from Loyola University and was a member of Sigma Alpha Kappa fraternity. He served in the United States Army from 1954 - 1956 at Camp Gordon and Fort Bragg and obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant at the 504 Military Police Battalion. Upon his Honorable Discharge, August started Loyola Law School and graduated in 1959 along with notable classmates including Marcel Garsaud, Eugene Murret, Gasper Schiro, Lolis Elie, Lambert Hassinger, and James Lockhart, Jr.

For over 50 years, August practiced law in New Orleans. He served as the attorney for the Recorder of Mortgages office during Maurice (“Moon”) Landrieu’s administration, served as an Assistant City Attorney during Ernest “Dutch” Morial’s administrations, and as the City Notary during Marc Morial’s administrations. August also maintained a private law practice through the years with the likes of Kalford K. Miazza, Sr., Gerald P. Fedoroff, Frank Varela, and Michael O’Keefe. He was friends and counsel to the likes of Pascal Calogero (Chief Justice, Louisiana Supreme Court), Moon Landrieu (Mayor and Judge, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals), Marcel Garsaud (Dean, Loyola Law School), Christian Ansel (Christian’s and Galatoire’s restaurant), Henry “Hank” Bergeron (Christian’s restaurant), Ernest “Ernie” Masson (Masson’s restaurant), Robert “Bob” Roth (Steak Knife restaurant), J.B. Delerno (Delerno’s restaurant), Ben and Dottie Bridgeman (Commander’s Palace restaurant), Don Wetzel (inventor of the ATM), Ernest O’Bannon, John Waters, Don Richard, Henry ”Tut” Kinney, Bruce and Joel Borrello, Butler Powell, Arnaud Pilie, Jack Fox, Eddie Kurtz, Sr., Gene Palmasano, and so many, many more.

August’s favorite hobby was playing tennis, mainly at the City Park Tennis Club where he served the Club in all officer positions and at the River Center in the Hilton with his long time friend, Joseph “Joe” Young. Notably, August beat Andre Agassi on Agassi’s home court in Las
Vegas when Agassi was already 6 years old. He worked out for many years at the New Orleans Athletic Club where he also served in all officer positions including all officer positions of the Hinder Club. His longtime workout partner was Al Ecuyer. Most recently he attended
“Super Slow” with Ryan Hall at Exercise Science in Mid City. Another of August’s passions was opera. From early on, more than 60 years ago, August held third row orchestra seats at the opera, which he attended regularly. For many, many years he was a member of The Men’s Opera Club, a support organization that met before each production to meet the stars and enjoy a gourmet meal. He was a long time member of the Board of Directors and of the Legal Committee. Later he served for a time on the Advisory Committee.

 

His decided preference in opera was the 19th Century Italian repertoire, principally Verdi and Puccini, and the bel canto composers. He admired and supported the work of the late Maestro Lyall, longtime director of the opera. His friend and tennis buddy, Joe Young, was onetime President and benefactor, as was the late Sal Panzeca, also a patron and for several years President of NOOA. He shared his love of opera with many of his friends, including his cousin and close friend, J.T. La Nasa, an opera singer himself. The family would like to thank all of his many friends and, especially, Darlene Frannino, his longtime legal secretary; his and Willie’s care givers, Trish, Trenelle, Shawanda, and others; and his many doctors, including Dr. Jayne Gurtler and Dr. Paul Spring.