Terry Frank Tranchina, age 83, President and C.E.O. of Honaker Funeral Homes and Cemeteries in Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Terry attended Slidell High School and in 1957 graduated from Alcee Fortier High in New Orleans. He was a graduate of Delgado Trade Schools Certified Machinist Program with top honors.  Employed by Avondale Shipyards, General Dynamics on projects including the Saturn V and Saturn1B booster rockets, as well as the Chrysler Space Division including M1 Tank projects. In the late 1960s, he moved his family to New York, where he continued his specialty of Carbide Die making as Superintendent of Stein Tool and Die Company for four years. He also attended the Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied Mechanical Engineering.

In 1971, at the request of his father-in-law, Fred Honaker, Terry moved his family back to Slidell and was instrumental in helping build and operate Honaker Funeral Home, the first funeral home and cemetery combination in Louisiana. In 1972 he returned to Delgado Community College where he received his degree in Funeral Service and consequently, his funeral director's license.

Mr. Tranchina was a member of the American Cemetery Association, the Louisiana Cemetery Association, where he served as President from 1979 to 1982; the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.

Terry was a member of First Baptist Church of Slidell.

He was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Past Master of Slidell Masonic Lodge No. 311, F. & A.M.; Past High Priest of Pontchartrain Chapter No. 68, R.A.M.; Past Illustrious Master of Slidell Council No. 48, R. & S.M.; Past Commander of C. A. Everitt Commandery No. 29, Knights Templar; Member of Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Member of the Order of High Priesthood; Received the Order of Silver Trowel; Received the Knights York Cross of Honor; Received the Knights Crusader of the Cross; Member of Louisiana College, SRICF; Past Sovereign, Red Cross of Constantine; Member of Louisiana York Rite College and of Jerusalem Shrine Temple, Destrehan, LA.; Sons of Italy of America, Lodge 2449; as well as a charter member of Slidell Elks Lodge No. 2321, B.P.O.E. and Slidell Noon Lions Club, where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Felix Tranchina Jr. and Theodora Dekemel Tranchina.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Fredine Honaker Tranchina; three children, Gary F. Tranchina (Carolyn), Kevin T. Tranchina (Dianne) and Terri F. Tranchina Travirca; a brother, Felix Tranchina III; one sister, Gwendolyn Tranchina Maricante Kelly; seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Services at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd West, Slidell, LA., 70460, on Monday morning, March 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

Visitation will be held at the Honaker Funeral Home on Sunday evening, March 26, 2023, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with Masonic Services at 7:00 pm, followed by Elks Services at 7:30 pm, and on Monday morning, from 9:00 am until service time.

Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Slidell, Louisiana.