John Anthony Ramon Rigol, Jr. (Johnny) passed away suddenly on May 29, 2024. Johnny is survived by his loving wife Gena Sumrall Rigol; his 3 children, Cherie Toffoli (Neal), Raquel Bertaut, and John Rigol, III (Christine). He had nine grandchildren; Chris (Shirin) Baldwin, Jason (Katie) Blood, John-Avery Blood, John (Ricky) Bertaut, Nancy (Brent) Dufour, Joe Rigol, Katy Rigol, Aubrey (Stephen) Passariello and Austin Toffoli. He also had eight great grandchildren – Ali and Emma Baldwin; Oakes Blood; Avery Blood; and Kendall, Charlie, Brayden and Delilah Dufour. He was preceded in death by his father, John Rigol, Sr., mother Lillian Weishock Rigol, and brothers James (Jimmy) Rigol and Rafael (Raffy) Rigol.
Johnny was a fun-loving, adventure-seeking, passionate man who had a zest for life that was apparent from the moment you met him. He pursued each experience with enthusiasm and made an impression everywhere he went. Johnny told almost everyone he met what a wonderful (stupendous) life he had. He never met a stranger, and his friends came from all walks of life. He had a reputation for being the life of the party as well as a seeker of knowledge. While he had limited college education, he was an avid learner who pursued knowledge with the same intensity that he approached everything else in life and was recognized as an expert in several areas.
Johnny spent the earlier years of his career in law enforcement; first as a deputy with Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department followed by the Louisiana State Police, where he spent the bulk of his law enforcement career. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant. His most notable career achievements came as a result of several initiatives he was asked to lead including acting as Chief of Security for the newly built Louisiana Superdome; developing, teaching and authoring new and updated law enforcement guidelines as well as basic and advanced accident reconstruction programs. As an accident reconstruction expert, he consulted with others around the country, testified as an “expert witness” in multiple jurisdictions, and invested in teaching others the trade, to enable them to pursue their own growth in the field.
Johnny loved adventure and it showed in his many hobbies. As a lover of the water, he became an accomplished sailor – sailing his small boats across open waterways and across the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and several other destinations. When it was time to put an end to his sailing adventures, he didn’t give up his love for the water, instead switching to a motorized vessel which he used to navigate rivers and inlets in the Southern U.S. He loved to travel, and he travelled the world making a mark wherever he went. Johnny had always been an excellent writer so, when his travel adventures slowed down, he began writing. He started with an autobiography documenting his great adventures and the many people he had met throughout his life. While that book was never published, he subsequently published two novels.
Johnny was one-of-a-kind and lived life his way. He liked to make people smile, laugh and blush. He “flirted” with all women – cashiers at the grocery, parking attendants, ALL women – ALL the time. In front of his children, his wife, anyone around. Not many people know this, but that flirting was his way of making people feel good. He would tell them how gorgeous they were – even when most knew that was not true. He would tell his children and grandchildren that it didn’t hurt to tell little lies if it made people feel better. That is just one of the unique ways he taught his children.
The world has lost one of its most provocative people and Johnny will be missed by many. His quick wit and passion for life will not be forgotten. Johnny wanted a party on his passing and his wishes are being honored. A Johnny Rigol-style memorial service is being planned for late June. More details can be forwarded once finalized so if interested, please indicate in the comments on funeral home website and information will be forwarded to you or you can contact Cherie at [email protected].
Diana Fox
June 4, 2024, 3:18 am
Johnny was a very special person. He was a light to all he met including me. I will hold his memory close and treasure that I had the privlidge to spend part of my life knowing him. What an amazing human!
Liane and Brett Younger
June 4, 2024, 8:25 am
Johnny was amazing and impactful. Certainly left an impression, just as described here. We were blessed to have known him. So sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to the family. Love to Gena, John and Christine. 🤗
Pat Webster Higginbotham
June 4, 2024, 2:55 pm
Johnny was such a wonderful friend and classmate from St Catherine of Siena in Metairie La. He definitely was one of a kind and will be greatly missed🙏🏻😘
Pat Webster Higginbotham
Carole Lightbody
June 4, 2024, 6:10 pm
So sorry to hear about the passing of John we knew him when we all ow
ned a condo in North
fort Myers God Bless him and you
Maureen Barth
June 4, 2024, 6:58 pm
Dear Gena, we are so sorry to hear of John’s sudden passing. Bill and I remember all the wonderful get-togethers that we had at shipyard. Please let us know if you need anything and where and when will Johns celebration of life be? If possible, we would like to attend! God bless🙏🙏
Patsy Jones
June 4, 2024, 8:50 pm
He will be missed alot. He loved making Women happy and laughing. He was always very kind to me and I will truly miss him!
Samuel Bua
June 5, 2024, 2:49 pm
The “Rocket”blasted off , headed to Heaven. God Speed John.
Charles "Tex" Stevenson
June 6, 2024, 5:19 pm
I met John when he was a State Trooper and I knew his brother who was a Jefferson Parish Deputy. I used him as an accident reconstruction expert many times. He was quite a person and he would tell me tales of his home in Mexico. He will be missed. Condolences to his family.
Mike Hatten
June 7, 2024, 3:38 am
I met John at his son’s house in Dallas and we immediately connected as if we’d known each other for 40 years and it was because we were brothers. John was a Louisiana State Trooper and I had been a WV State Trooper. Some 20 years my senior, John was ending his career shortly after I began mine and it was like I had worked with him before. He was one of the good guys-a mentor and a brother. John, you will be missed my many and you left an impression on my life. May you have fair skies and following seas. Fly west my friend!
Linda and Bob Rosenblatt
June 7, 2024, 10:04 pm
So very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was definitely a one-of-a-kind and made an impression on all he met—very intelligent and interesting conversationalist!
Ignacio Villanueva
June 8, 2024, 6:15 pm
Johnny was a great smart person. I was proud to be his friend and fellow Police Officer. I will
never forget him and remember him as being a very intelligent man. I will miss him
Sincerely.
Iggy Villanueva
Kenner, La.
08 June 2024
Donnie Hanberry
June 8, 2024, 11:48 pm
Johnny was a good friend and a good man. It was always my pleasure to share good conversations, good drinks and good ideas with him. He was a man that gained your respect imediately each time you had the pleasure of sharing time and space with him. I know I always wished for more of his time even when it wasn’t possible. People like Johnny don’t happen very often, but I guess that’s OK, as we surely will miss him, for he was truly unique. God bless you Johnny, Gena and family.
Dennis Ellzey
June 9, 2024, 2:10 am
I can remember how fast you at Johnny it was about 1957 he was at Ridgewood I was at a different school but we all had the same friend he was a great person and a good human being and a fun loving person and he will be really be missed I enjoy this talking to him and for this little time he lived here at Hammond he was way we could see him for lunch being my late wife and all the world will be able to look smaller now without a great man like Johnny was goodbye my friend and my brother in blue the people who are some people recognize what I mean God bless you
Frank Graff
June 9, 2024, 1:48 pm
Johnny, what an amazing, and respected guy…
50+ years ago, as a brother LEO, had the good fortune to meet both Johnny & Jimmy.
Attending several of Johnny’s “Traffic Crash Reconstruction” classes, along with personal Interaction on the many scenes of a severe Traffic crash. Johnny took time to personally show and teach, helped further my career.
I learned a lot, I am indebted to him.
Privileged to have had Johnny reconstruct an ‘85 head on, fatal (other driver) traffic crash, involving me. His expertise greatly impacted the outcome/Settlement.
Will miss reminiscing with Johnny the many LEO Adventures, good and bad…
He will be missed by many.
My Friend – Rest in peace.
Al Plaeger
June 9, 2024, 6:21 pm
Great football player, good friend, good athlete, will be missed by many…
Al Plaeger
Paula and Brian Huckaby
June 10, 2024, 1:41 pm
We were next door neighbors for 8 years in Hammond. John was bigger than life! He will be missed. Let us know about the celebration of life gathering. We hope to be there!
Fred M Trowbridge Jr
June 10, 2024, 4:32 pm
Fred M Trowbridge Jr
My heartfelt condolences. I have many fond memories of Lt Rigol as we often worked together as Louisiana State Troopers. As many have remarked, John was able to fill the room whenever he was in attendance. One of his many sayings, which has served me well over the years was, ” Things perceived as real are real in their consequences.”
Rest in peace.
Crow
June 13, 2024, 3:48 pm
Goodbye soul mate.
Mike Creel
June 16, 2024, 8:40 pm
So sorry for your loss. My condolences to all the family. He had a positive impact on me and my life.