Obituary

Obituary for Craig Joseph Sanders
Craig Joseph Sanders, 73, of Abita Springs, Louisiana, passed away on September 24, 2022
surrounded by those he loved the most in this world. Craig was born in Metairie, LA to Eliska
Clare Livaudauis and Rufus Dorsey Sanders. He grew up with a loving and lively family which
included his brothers Allan Sanders, Bruce Sanders, and his sisters Maree Sanders, Dee Rasco
and step-sister Elva Smith.
As a young child and teen, he loved spending time with his childhood buddies and taking care of
his younger siblings. He was a proud graduate of Rummel High School, where he was a member
of the first football team. He moved on to USL for college, now known as ULL, where he
majored in partying first with a minor in marketing. This sparked his passion for working with
people and always making sure they were cared for and having a good time. He started his career
driving Greyline tour buses to share his love for New Orleans. Through a series of a different
other sales jobs, he found a passion for selling people a good product.
In his 30’s Craig met his wife Harriet. They fell in love while spending time with their mutual
friends at the Brentwood apartment community. It is Harriet who convinced Craig to pursue a
career in hospitality. This led to a thriving career from 1976 to 2018 working in sales at some of
the top hotels in New Orleans including the Roosevelt, the Fairmont, and the Intercontinental
Hotel. He was a proud member and former president of the SKAL International New Orleans
which connects members of the hospitality industry. Craig met and worked with a host of people
during his career whom he came to love and cherish as friends. Craig never met a stranger and
always seemed to know at least one person when he walked into a room. He shared his love for
food and fun with everyone he met. He was a true New Orleans gentlemen who was one of the
founding members of the Krewe of Orpheus, a member of Pete Fountains Half Fast Walking
Club, and an avid LSU and Saints fan.
For ten years Harriet and Craig wined and dined clients, traveled the country, and enjoyed their
life with friends. They then began their family with a happy little boy named Kyle and three
years later a beautiful baby girl named Katie. As a family, they loved to spend time with their
neighbors, travel to visit family, and play card games like Spoons. Being a kind and dependable
father was of the utmost importance to Craig, and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to
wholeheartedly loving his family. One of his greatest joys in life was watching his son Kyle
become a priest of the Catholic Church. He called himself the “Father of the Father.” His other
great joy was watching his daughter become a mother and having the opportunity to love and
spoil his grandchildren Eliska Ibarra and Lucy Ibarra.
In addition to his wife Harriet Sanders and his children Fr. Kyle Sanders and Katie Ibarra
(husband Jerome), Craig is survived by his grandchildren Eliska Ibarra and Lucy Ibarra, his
siblings Elva Smith, Allan Sanders, Bruce Sanders, Dee Rasco, and Maree Sanders. He was
preceded in passing by his grandson Andre Ibarra and his parents Eliska Clare Livaduis and
Rufus Dorsey Sanders.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jane de Chantael in Abita Springs, LA on Friday,
September 30, 2022 at 12:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. His family will be
present to welcome loved ones. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, 75376 River
Rd., St. Benedict, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations in

Craig’s memory and legacy be made to one of the following organizations: God is Faithful Fund
held by the Catholic Community Foundation, to support Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New
Orleans seminarian education and support. You may contact them through
www.ccfnola.org/faithful , or make checks payable to CCF - God is Faithful, 7887 Walmsley
Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125; Rummel High School, at https://www.giverummel.com/ ; or the
ECHO Community, at https://www.dumboxministries.com/donate.html