Flags at half-staff honoring Shelley Tastet
Remembered as someone devoted to his constituents and kindhearted, former St. Charles Parish Councilman Shelley Tastet passed away on Tuesday night.
St. Charles Parish President Larry Cochran ordered that flags at all St. Charles Parish government facilities be flown at half-staff on Wednesday to honor him.
A lifelong parish resident, Tastet was first elected to the council’s District II seat in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011. He resigned due to medical reasons in December 2012. Tastet also was a commissioner on the Lafourche Basin Levee Board and served as its president in 2005.
As councilman, Tastet used his levee board experience to help the parish secure permits for the West Bank levee.
“Shelley took his job as councilman seriously and was devoted to his constituents,” said Paul Hogan, who served on the council with Tastet and is now councilman at large for the West Bank. “It is sad to see his passing.”
Terry Authement, a former councilman who also served with Tastet, fondly recalled him as “very likeable and very outgoing and energetic.” Authement also remembered him as helpful.
“He would help anybody,” he said. “He was kindhearted … just a really well-rounded individual.”
Mary Clulee, who currently serves as councilwoman for District II, said Tastet was always upbeat and loved helping his community.
Councilwoman Wendy Benedetto said Tastet was an excellent public servant and a good friend.
“On behalf of the entire council, I would like to express how greatly he will be missed,” Benedetto said. “His family is in our prayers.”
While councilman, Tastet served as chairman of the Hurricane Protection Projects Committee and was a member of the Operations, Maintenance, and Construction Management Committee, Legislative Committee, Contract/Finance and Administrative Committee, Special Projects/Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee, the Louisiana Police Jury Association, and the National Association of County Officials.
Tastet was also instrumental in the development of the current Animal Shelter and was given a tribute at the March 25, 2013 St. Charles Parish Council Meeting that read, “His dedication will always be appreciated by the people of St. Charles Parish, current and future staff members of the shelter, and all of God’s little creatures that will pass through the animal shelter.”
Tastet resided in the Willowdale area with his wife, Mary. The couple have two children, Brooks and Gretchen.
Tastet was a graduate of Hahnville High School, attended Nicholls State University and served two years in the U.S. Army. He was retired from OxyChem and Nexen Chemical.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 23 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Luling. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.
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