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Long before Aaron Flegeance became a father, grandfather and respected educator, he was a teenage seminarian. The teachers and nuns at his Catholic school in St. Martinville recognized his energy and ability to learn quickly, and felt that a path toward the priesthood would be a good way for Flegeance to channel those skills while also helping him stay on an even emotional keel.

Flegeance was in seminary school from ages 14 to 20. While he ultimately opted for a different career path, those years helped shape the rest of his life.

“Everything good that has happened in my life started there,” said Flegeance, now 90. “I got a good moral education. I used what I learned there to finish college.”

As a teen, Aaron Flegeance studied to become a priest. He eventually chose a career in education instead, but his faith has remained a central part of his life and something he has passed down to his children. 

After graduation, Flegeance taught high school English and French, spent nearly three decades as a supervisor in the St. Martin Parish schools central office and then transitioned to work for the sheriff’s office. At home, he married at age 28 and eventually became a father to one son and two daughters.

“I felt like I was late becoming a husband and a father. Everybody else I knew was marrying and having children either in their early 20s or even late teenage years,” he said. “It was truly a moment of great joy when my son was born, and I was blessed to experience those same emotions two more times when my girls were born.”

Flegeance’s apartment at The Vincent Senior Living is filled with family photos from through the years, marking moments in time that still fill him with pride. Some of the more recent pictures include his seven grandchildren – six girls and one boy.

Flegeance said there were certain principles he always wanted to pass down to his family. His three children all attended Catholic school and needed to have definitive plans upon high school graduation. He also made sure they took music lessons. Even though they no longer play, the values of discipline, patience and confidence have stayed with them.

“I think it takes education and religion to make people into productive human beings. Education without morals can lead to disaster,” he said. “And, I always told them how much I believe in work. It’s the only way to get ahead.”

Aaron Flegeance relaxes in his apartment at The Vincent Senior Living in Lafayette. 

Today, Flegeance’s children have successful careers. One daughter is a psychiatrist, one is a nurse practitioner and his son is an electronics technician. His grandchildren also have their own share of accomplishments, including careers in healthcare and communications. One granddaughter became the first Black woman to earn a FIFA international refereeing badge and now officiates soccer matches at the highest levels.

In early June, Flegeance attended his only grandson’s graduation from Belmont University in Tennessee.

“He finished with a degree in neuroscience and wants to do research,” he said. “I was worried about him at first because I wanted to be sure he could earn a good living and support a family. He told me he knew his path would be working for the biggest institutions. He now has a job offer from Yale and will go work for them in September. I’m so proud that he has such a good head on his shoulders. I know he will do well.”

Seeing multiple generations have successful careers and loving families means more to Flegeance than any awards or titles. He lives comfortably at The Vincent – leading French table conversations twice a week and frequent sing-alongs – largely due to the fact that he knows his kids and grandkids are doing okay.

“God has truly blessed me,” he said. “When I go to bed at night and say my prayers, I don’t have to worry about if all of my kids and grandkids went to bed on a full stomach. They all have wonderful jobs and can take care of themselves and their children quite well. I consider that quite a blessing.”

The Vincent Senior Living has Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care options for senior citizens. Available services include physical therapy, housekeeping, laundry, flexible meal plans, access to a full-service beauty salon, game area, library and theater, plus a wide array of social activities. The community is located at 2201 Verot School Road in Lafayette. Visit vincentseniorliving.com to learn more or schedule a tour.