By ROBIN SHANNON
L’Observateur

RESERVE — Funeral services were held Tuesday for East St. John High School girls basketball coach Troy Giordano, who suffered fatal injuries in a car crash on Interstate 10 in Kenner Friday afternoon while on his way home to Belle Chasse.

Giordano, 42, was killed when his Nissan mini-van slammed into the back of an 18-wheeler while he was traveling in the eastbound lanes of I-10 just past the Loyola Drive exit around 2:40 p.m. Friday, said authorities from the Kenner Police Department. Capt. Wayne McInnis, spokesman for the department said the driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured and not cited in the accident. McInnis said Kenner Police are still investigating the accident and no cause has been determined.

Giordano, who was a former Wal-Mart manager and insurance salesman, took the helm of the East St. John girls basketball program in 1997. He led the team to a 391-105 overall record and an astounding 124-14 home record. His loss is seen as a tremendous blow to the East St. John community.

“It’s tragic,” said East St. John athletic director Larry Dauterive. “It leaves a big void in all of our lives and in our school. His life was snuffed out so early.”

Dauterive said Giordano brought the girls program up from nothing and made it into a perennial power in the state, earning him district coach of the year honors eight times in his career.

“It’s incredible what he did here,” Dautrive said. “He built a legacy. I miss him already…I haven’t slept in three days. It’s just been eating at me.”

East St. John High School Principal Pat Triche shared in Dauterive’s sentiments.

“Troy was such a character,” said Triche. “If someone were to ask what type of person he was, you would have to say ‘you had to see it to believe it.’”

Triche said Giordano was always good for a joke and “wouldn’t leave you alone until he got a laugh out of you.” He was also seen as a coach that took great pride in his school.

“He was our gatekeeper, as he took over many aspects of our home at school,” said Triche. “He is a legacy for our school and will be terribly missed. There will be no other to take his place, they will only carry on the tradition of excellence he nourished.”

Giordano is survived by his wife, Heather Peterson Giordano, and two children, Montana, 12, and Mako, 11. A memorial service in Giordano’s honor will be held Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the East St. John High School gym and will be open to the public. The family asked that any donations be sent to Our Lady of Perpetual Help School athletic program in Belle Chasse.