Ernest Joseph “EJ” Saltzman, 79, a native of Cameron and resident of Houma left his earthly home on Friday, May 28, 2021.
Born on July 10, 1941 in Vermilion Parish to Nolan Joseph and Enola Mary Abshire Saltzman, E.J. was the third oldest child of six children, the oldest out of the three sons. He was around 6-months-old when his dad was drafted into World War II, the Pacific Theater. He, his mom, and two older sisters lived in a house boat along the Intercostal Waterway during that time.
After his dad returned from the war and his two younger brothers were born, he and his family relocated the houseboat to Cameron, across from the Smith Protein Plant in the early 1950s. He, along with his parents, five siblings and many other Cameron Residents, waded through waist/chest deep water to the Cameron Courthouse and managed to survive Hurricane Audrey on the 3rd floor of the courthouse in June 1957.
In adulthood, he was employed by Smith Protein (later Zapata Menhaden) in Cameron, before relocating to Houma in the 1960s. He continued other employment ventures until retirement. He was an avid Houma Parade attendee, where he was able to collect many beads and doubloons that he would donate to the Cameron COA Senior Citizen Parties throughout the years. He was of the Catholic Faith. He was affectionately called Ponyon by his family, a nickname he got from his Uncle Pierre Conner (husband of his Aunt Elda Saltzman Conner). He will be dearly missed by many.
Visitation was held in his honor on Friday, June 4, at Samart Funeral Home of Houma, Bayou Blue, from 9 a.m. with the Rosary/Religious Service at 11 a.m. He was later laid to rest in Rogers/Samart Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Doris LeCompte Saltzman; his children, Jean, Richard, Joann, Samantha, and Robert; brother, Littleton Joseph “LJ” Saltzman (Shirley); sisters, Nelta Saltzman Peshoff (Elmer) and Sybil Saltzman Wolfe (George “Snookum”); 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nolan Saltzman and Enola Abshire Saltzman; brother, Nolton Saltzman; and sister, Audrey Saltzman Denard; brothers-in-law, LeRoy Venable, Benny Arrington, and Horace “Blackie” Denard; sisters-in-law; Margaret Merritt Saltzman and Lonnie Owen Lormand-Saltzman; Maternal Grandparents, Adias and Josephine Istre Abshire; Paternal Grandparents, Wallace and Enola “Agnes” Hebert Saltzman; as well as his godparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, a great nephew, and a great niece.
(Paid Memorial)