Chapter 310: In Mourning
From the Sun Herald:
Hancock County businessman Jody Compretta died Saturday night in New Orleans as a result of an accident at the Endymion parade. The Sun Herald has learned that Compretta, son of state Rep. J.P. Compretta, was reportedly riding on a float in the Krewe of Endymion parade. When the float stopped, Compretta got off, thinking the parade had ended. When the sectioned float began to move again, Compretta was knocked down and run over.
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Joseph "Jody" Compretta, Jr., 39, of Bay St. Louis, MS passed away on Saturday, February, 2, 2008 in New Orleans, LA. He was born in Jackson, MS and a longtime resident of Bay St. Louis, MS. He was the owner of Patients Choice, Inc. in Bay St. Louis, MS. He was a Graduate of Saint Stanislaus College in 1986 and a Graduate of Ole Miss 1991. He was very active in his community as follows, Hancock County American Cancer Society Relay for Life Chairman in 2000, Rotary Club of Bay Saint Louis Vice President in 2001-2002, Rotary Club of Bay Saint Louis President in 2003-2004, Named Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Foundation, Sun Herald Top 10 Business Leaders under 40 in 2002, Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2002, Hancock County Chamber of Commerce President in 2002, Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2002 - 2004, Mississippi Business Journal Top 40 under 40 in 2005, Hancock County Port and Harbor Past Commissioner in 2004 - 2007, CCA Treasury in 2007, and a Member of the Bay Area Recovery Team. He is survived by his wife, Maria Huff Compretta of Bay St. Louis, MS, his children, Nicholas Compretta of Bay St. Louis, MS, Sophia Compretta of Bay St. Louis, MS, his parents, Joseph "J.P." and Kay Compretta, Sr. of Bay St. Louis, MS, 2 brothers, Jonathan Compretta & his wife, Caroline of Jackson, MS, Jeremy Compretta & his wife, Rebecca of Bay St. Louis, MS, his sister, Jennifer Lee of Daphne, AL. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.
The visitation will be on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Bay St. Louis, MS with the Service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Garden of Memory Cemetery in Bay St. Louis, MS.
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I don't really know what to say about this. It is a terrible tragedy and Hancock County lost one of it's favorite sons and a real advocate for positive growth in the recovery efforts. I only met Jody a handful of times, but he was a real straight shooter and wasn't afraid to speak his mind even if the good ol' boys didn't like what he had to say. In essence, he was Sherry-Lea's boss and the man who hired her to run the Housing Resource Center so this is also a huge blow for the work that we've begun over here since she was hired in October. Just a tragic accident and a really great guy gone in an instant.