Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home

He was 79. Gielen, of Crowley, founded his business more than 50 years ago. He also owns Church Point Wholesale, which supplies products to convenience stores in six states. The companies employ about 1,000 workers. “It’s just something I love and loved,” Gielen said in a 2016 interview with The Daily Advertiser during a 50th anniversary celebration of his company. The funeral is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Crowley, under direction of Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home. "He worked very hard at making his business a success and always put others before himself, especially his employees," said Brett Stefanski, a nephew and attorney who is a director on the Tobacco Plus board. "He never gave up and worked until the end. He will be greatly missed." Former state Sen. Nick Gautreaux said Gielen was an inspiration to those who knew him. "He was a great businessman and family man and an entrepreneurial legend," said former state Sen. Nick Gautreaux. "I'm in awe of what he was able to do and all the while giving back to the community. "He's a role model all of us aspired to follow." Gielen began his company by borrowing $35,000 from his mother and aunt. “I went and talked to Mr. B.I. Moody (another Acadiana entrepreneurial legend), who was a friend of my mother’s,...

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