James de Brueys Obituary

Born on Dec. 23, 1987, to Jim and Mary T. Heffron de Brueys in Metairie, James is believed to have passed away Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, while traveling between Arno Atoll and Majuro in the Marshall Islands, where he was serving for a year as a volunteer teacher with World Teach. James, 22, lived in Kenner most of his life, attending Seven Oaks Preschool, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for his elementary years, and Brother Martin High School in New Orleans. He attended LSU in Baton Rouge, where he graduated in December 2009 with a bachelor of arts in anthropology and a minor in Spanish. He was on the Chancellor's Honor Roll 2006-07 and the Dean's List in 2007-08 and 2008-09. James participated in the LSU Academic Program Abroad in Spain in 2008-09. During the time of his education and prior to leaving for the Marshall Islands, he worked as a tutor with Peer+Plus, bartender with the Chimes and DJ with KLSU. James distinguished himself in many ways in less than 23 years. He won awards for chess, was a Boy Scout, played Babe Ruth Baseball, and served as an altar boy in elementary school. He attended the U.S. Space Camp and later Aviation Challenge, where he won the Top Gun Award. As a Brother Martin Crusader, he worked with the Big Buddy Program, graduated with honors, won the Outstanding English Student Award in 2006, served as a Eucharistic minister, was in the NHS and the National Honor Society for Science, won a Brother Martin Leadership Award and was the first graduate of Brother Martin to play five consecutive years of rugby for the Crusader Rugby Club ("Collars Up"). He was captain of the rugby team and received an award for Outstanding Underclassman during the high school rugby state competition. He participated in parkour, studied capoeira and played in bands with his friends for parties as well as for efforts such as Relay for Life in high school and college. James was recipient of the LSU Centennial Award, named a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Phi Eta Sigma at LSU, and was voted the Hottest Bartender in Baton Rouge in 2008. He won fourth place in his division at the International Beard and Moustache Competition in Alaska in 2009, was the developer of Snee and the legend of Hypervaria, creator of Blurry Monkey Productions, declared the "alpha dog" among close friends and Co-Founder of The League. James was serving for a year as a teacher in the Marshall Islands, where he was stationed since August, and future plans included a possible second year with World Teach, graduate school in Hawaii in anthropology, and/or teaching English in Spain. James is survived by his parents, Mary T. and Jim; his sister, Michelle, her husband, Patrick McCrary, their two children, Madison and Blake; his sister, André, her husband, John Cardinale; his brother, Steven; his sister, Simone; maternal grandmother, Mary T. Heffron, and paternal grandfather, Warren C. de Brueys; maternal aunts, Margaret Heffron and Paula (Mrs. Danny) Moran; maternal uncle, John Heffron; paternal aunt, Denise de Brueys; other aunts and uncles; cousins; and many devoted friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Norman C. Heffron; paternal grandmother, Mary H. de Brueys; and maternal uncle, Kevin M. Heffron. Honorary pallbearers are Steven de Brueys, Brandon Allen, Douglas Alongia, Brett Bordelon, Craig Clement, Adam Delaune, Luis Erazo, Chris Vizzini, and Rhett Ward. A memorial Mass in celebration of James' life will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baton Rouge at 11 a.m. celebrated by the Rev. Gerald Burns. Family and friends are welcome to gather at 10:30 a.m. for greeting and silent prayer. Donations from those interested are appreciated in James' honor and should be noted as made in James de Brueys' name to WorldTeach, c/o Center for International Development, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 79 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, MA 02138. Please mark The James de Brueys Fund on the subject line. Donations can also be made at the World Teach website, www.worldteach.org. Press the "Donate Now" button at the top right corner, and include James' name in the "Purpose" section. Funds contributed will be used by World Teach for James' students in the Marshall Islands via projects James initiated and hoped to complete in his time there.

Published by The Advocate from Dec. 7 to Dec. 8, 2010.
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Love and prayers always for your family. James is so missed.

Trish Otts

Friend

December 1, 2019

I am trying to imagine what you must be going through. I cannot. Please find comfort in the thoughts and prayers that are there for your family far and wide. We are not meant to understand everything. I see that your son was very special and shared that with many lives. I am so sorry. God Bless you and your family.

Cathy Levert McKinnon

January 26, 2011

Dear Mary T and Family, my heart aches for you, and I will pray for your comfort during this difficult time. I am so very sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Alison Hartman

Alison Hartman

January 9, 2011

Mary T,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. May the healing presence of Jesus be with you and your family at this time. Love & Prayers,
Jenny Kiene Lawlor

Jenny Kiene Lawlor

January 2, 2011

As a friend and neighbor,we saw James grow into an outstanding young man who any parent would be proud of. His lust for life and compassion for his fellow man will be sorely missed by his family,friends and all of Society. The lost of a child of any age breaks ones Heart. Children are not supposed to die before their parents.Jim,Mary T.,Michelle,Patrick,Andre,John,Steven and Simone the Melancon family share in your grief. We have been blessed for having know James in life and celebrate his entering into Heaven. Love Ralph and Meli

Ralph Melancon

December 23, 2010

December 22, 2010

Dear Mary T, Jim, Michelle, Andre, Steven, and Simone- I was so sorry to hear the sad news about James. I just want y'all to know that y'all are in my heart and in my prayers and I am thinking of y'all often. James was a remarkable young man who accomplished much in his life. I have no doubt that the legacy he left will continue on. I send hugs and love to y'all and also a lot of healing.

Much love,
Merideth Piggott-Tooke

Merideth Piggott-Tooke

December 14, 2010

Mary T and Jim.
Words cannot express my heartfelt sorrow for your loss of James. It has been quite some time since I have seen the both of you but Margaret contacted me. Please know that James and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult of times. Jim Doré

December 14, 2010

Mary T and Jim
my heart is broken for you and your family. please know that I am with you in prayer and in spirit as you walk the valley of tears.
Kay Mckissack

Kay McKissack

December 12, 2010

Dear Mary, Jim and family,
I have only known you a short time through Mass at St.Aloysius; but, having attended James' Memorial Mass and seeing the church filled pews with so much love has been a heartfilled experience. Hearing his closest friends express their memories of James had the congregation laughing through their tears and giving us all a sample of what a special young man he was and to you, his family. God bless each of you and know we share your sorrow.
Darlene Woodford

December 12, 2010

Dear Mary T, Jim, Michele, Andre', Simone and Stephen and all your family,

May God bless and comfort you in your grief for your beloved James.
His death is a great loss also to our world, his life a wonderful example for us all.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Kevin, Chris ,Clare,Teresa, Kieran,and Matthew Cahalan

Chris Cahalan

December 11, 2010

Paula and Danny, I am so sorry about the loss of your nephew. He sounds like a wonderful person. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Ruth Laney

December 11, 2010

Dear De Brueys family, the service and fundraiser this past week was moving. i cry everytime i think about james and the sorrow you are experiencing. i love ya'll and realize now how honored i was to drive james to brother martin. love you, Trish Luquet

Trish Luquet

December 11, 2010

Jim and Mary T., My old multicolor bougainvillea baskets bloom and rebloom their hearts out. But I also remember getting on my knees above the tree-line in the Rockies to view the tiny tundra plants that likewise bloom gloriously in a short cycle between snows. Both are similarly magnificent. Some of us, like myself, are asked to show God's glory for 74 years, others like your beloved James(and Kevin too) shine forth for a much lesser time. Perhaps like a shooting star they reflect God's glory for only a few years. Yet they are not less glorious in God's purpose. We thank God for James; we thank God for you. May God give you special grace and consolation at this time. I prayerfully remember all at my celebration of Sunday Mass.

Fr. Howard Hall

December 11, 2010

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Sandra Cyprian, Jasmine Mackson, and Family

December 10, 2010

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Darren & Michelle Collins

December 9, 2010

Sincerest thoughts, prayers and condolonces to all of James' family and friends from the Hogan Hardwoods Family.

Melissa Pintado

December 9, 2010

I am a former coworker of James' from the chimes. I remember sharing a lot of laughs with him and many other employees. I don't know a single person that would have a bad thing to say about James, everyone loved him. It's a shame he was taken so early, I know he would've made wonderful contributions to the world. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this time uncertainty and grief.

Jeremy Pritchett

December 9, 2010

Mary T. and Jim, You and your family have been on our minds ever since. May God give you peace. We will continue our prayers for you and James. Nancy and Jim Rumore (Rayne, LA)

December 8, 2010

Mary T, My thoughts are with you during this troubled time. God will show you the way.
Gayle Buquoi Horton

December 8, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.

Jennifer Jenkins

December 8, 2010

Mary T- My deepest sympathy in the loss of your beloved son. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all.
Davie Kennedy Ashby

Davie Ashby

December 8, 2010

Mary T, Jim and family,
My prayers are with you during this time.

Beth Bordelon

December 8, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Marian Doiron Gleason

December 8, 2010

Jim & Mary T,
Please accept my condolences and know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Ronnie Daigle, MD

December 8, 2010

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Mary Jean Walker Dry

December 8, 2010

Mary T. ,Jim and Family, May you find comfort in the love of friends and love in the comfort of memories. Truely, our hearts are with you.
Marcy Boucher Stairwalt

December 7, 2010

Mary T. You and your family are in our thoughts. We send our deepest sympathy.
Dean & Roland

December 7, 2010

Mary T: You are on my mind and in my prayers. God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Jeanne Anne Grass LaRose

Jeanne Anne LaRose

December 7, 2010

Mary T - I am so sorry for you and your family. Love and prayers,
Janice Gassie Warren

Janice Warren

December 7, 2010

May God give you the strenght and love to carry you t hrough this very difficult time.

Elizabth Chatagnier

December 7, 2010

Dear Jim and Mary T,

My prayers and masses are with you and for your son. I am out of country and cannot be there I will be in touch when I return,
Fr. Jeff Bayhi

Fr. Bayhi

December 7, 2010

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