Obituary

Cornelius Robert Heusel
APRIL 22, 1943 – APRIL 19, 2019
Obituary of Cornelius Robert Heusel
Cornelius “Neil” Robert Heusel, born April 22, 1943 passed away peacefully on April 19, 2019. Neil was a brilliant and accomplished man. His professional passion was the law. He attended DeLaSalle High School and Loyola University where he was elected Student Government president. Upon graduating from Loyola University Law School, he applied for and was selected as an agent in the FBI. He served his assignments for The Bureau in Phoenix, Arizona and Santa Cruz, California. He often said it was the most fun job he ever held. Following, he served as Executive Assistant District Attorney for Orleans Parish in charge of capital cases. He then joined the US Attorney’s Office in New Orleans, serving as Criminal Division Chief and First Assistant US Attorney. While serving as the head of the Organized Crime Strike Force, he was awarded the highest honor bestowed by the Department of Justice, the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in 1976. Finally, he went into private practice specializing in Employment Law, first with The Kullman, Inman, Bee, and Downing Firm, then the Jones Walker Firm. Neil retired in 2016, leaving colleagues and clients, many of whom had become his closest friends, for a quieter life. Neil’s personal passion was his family. Neil was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He leaves behind his wife, Dione, children, Cornelius R. Heusel, Jr. (Susan Trahant), Catherine A. Heusel Sutherland (Bill Sutherland), Christian P. Heusel (Julien Byrne), Carolyn M. Heusel Hyde (Kent Hyde), and step-children, Meggan McGrew and Jamie McGrew; grandchildren, Rachel Coleman Patino, Cornelius R. III and Alexander C. Heusel, Ezra V., Basil J., and Tolson M. Elkins, David "Dylan" Engles and Noah McGrew. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Francis Heusel and Elizabeth K. Dunn; his brother, George Francis Heusel, Jr. and sister, Eileen Heusel Ferbosses. The family wishes to thank the staff at Mobile Infirmary and Saad’s Hospice for their excellent care and compassion shown to Neil and the family in his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choosing. Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm with a memorial service to take place at 12:00 pm.

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