Joseph A. Cuillier, Sr. (1927 – 1989) was the husband of Ruby Jones Cuillier. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Ursula C. Williams, Helen C. August, Joseph Jr., and Cory Cuillier, and the grandparents of two. His parents were Joseph A. Cuillier and Geneva Davis Cuillier.

Mr. Cuillier attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School in New Orleans prior to entering Xavier Prep School in 1939. He enrolled at Xavier University in 1943 and attended until he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served for three years.

In 1946, Mr. Cuillier returned to Xavier University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in mathematics and science in 1949. Upon graduation, he taught at Carver High School in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and the Rosenwald High/Marrero-Westwego High School, the predecessor of Lincoln High School. Mr. Cuillier received a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision from Xavier in 1954 and did post-graduate work at Southern University.

He returned to Lincoln High School where he taught and served as assistant principal under Joshua Butler, Sr. Upon the death of Mr. Butler, he became principal. He later served as a central office supervisor and taught adult education in the parish. Upon his retirement from the school system, Mr. Cuillier served as officer and supervisor at the Louisiana Training Institute (LTI) and as a deputy sheriff.

Mr. Cuillier was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the Jefferson Parish Retired Teachers’ Association, the Knights of Columbus Council 9384, and the Knights of Peter Claver Council 267. Uppermost in his mind was how he could help others and encourage them to help themselves.