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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 13
BY SENATOR MORRELL AND REPRESENTATI VE BROSSETT
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Leon "Smokey" Brier, a lifelong resident of the Gentilly neighborhood in
New Orleans, Louisiana, and a man of character known for his good deeds and kind
heart.
WHEREAS, Smokey Brier was a compassionate person filled with the milk of
human kindness, a true gentleman, and genuine friend to all; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Brier was born February 17, 1913, on Orleans Avenue near
Bayou St. John and celebrated his ninety-ninth birthday this year; and
WHEREAS, he served his country in World War II in both the European and Pacific
Theatres of War as a company cook in Marseilles, France and Okinawa, Japan; and
WHEREAS, when he returned to New Orleans after an honorable discharge, he was
employed in several occupations throughout the city that included work as a clothing presser
for a laundry; and
WHEREAS, having worked all of his life, Smokey Brier was a self-made man, who
learned the value of generosity, positive motivation, and friendship; he also knew that life
was worthy of living to its fullest; he had a vitality about him that was infectious; and he
lifted the spirits of those around him with a wink and a smile; and
WHEREAS, from his two-story yellow house on Gentilly Boulevard, Smokey Brier
warmly greeted everyone who passed by his front door, invited them to sit on the porch for
awhile, shared a story or two, laughed, and discussed the happenings of the day in his role
as the charismatic mayor and spiritual father of the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Smokey was a fixture at every Jazz Fest as he loved to listen to music
and to dance and he would ride his three-wheeled bike down to the French Quarter to be
moved by the rhythms drifting in the streets and to dance with all the pretty ladies; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Brier felt a gladness in his heart and a closeness to his God as SCR NO. 13 ENROLLED
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he regularly attended mass at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, he was a loving and dedicated husband of fifty-two years to his beloved
wife, Bernice Despues Brier, until her passing in 1987; and
WHEREAS, he was born before the advent of television, digital technology, or space
travel, but was a witness to man's walk on the moon, miracles of medicine, and many other
technical wonders that were unheard of only a few short decades ago; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Brier had witnessed all manner of historic and political
milestones during his near century of living that included women's suffrage, the Modern
Civil Rights Movement, minority voting rights legislation, and in 2008, proudly cast his vote
for the election of President of the United States, Barack Obama; and
WHEREAS, Smokey was a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan since the 1960s and
reveled in the glory of their 2010 Super Bowl victory; and
WHEREAS, with his keen attention to detail, Smokey shared his life's experiences,
local history, and childhood memories with family and friends, who then gazed in wonder
as they heard of the events he had seen and participated in, firsthand; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Brier was the embodiment of the joy of living, joie de vivre,
empathy, strength, and comfort; the genuine article, a true altruist who cared for everyone,
and whose compassion for his fellow man knew no bounds; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Brier was struck down on February 23, 2012, not by the
ravages of time for he was in excellent health, but by the heinous act of another, someone
who snuffed out his light needlessly and thoughtlessly; and
WHEREAS, upon his untimely death, the community lost a unique individual and
a colorful character who left such an indelible mark upon the lives of all who knew and
loved him and benefitted from his thoughtfulness and generous spirit; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by a daughter, Jean Brier Craddock, four grandchildren,
ten great-grandchildren, thirteen great-great-grandchildren, and a host of family members
and many, many close friends.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Leon "Smokey" Brier,
whose passing leaves a tear in the fabric of the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. SCR NO. 13 ENROLLED
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
daughter, Jean Brier Craddock.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES