Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Brian Bordelon

One of our former paramedics, Brian James Bordelon, died August 11th of cancer. Many of us at EMS remember Brian well. He was an outstanding paramedic, one from "the old days." He took no shit from anyone, and was perfectly happy to dish it out too. We are proud to have known him and serve the city with him.

We remember all the good times we had with him - going for a beer, enjoying his beloved Jazz Fest together, trying to imagine what it was like living with Placide Jumonville and Thomas Jordan. He entertained us all with his stories and writings. He gave us countless hours of amusement as he terrorized new EMT's (those EMT's might not remember him so fondly!).

We will certainly miss Brian. Fond memories or not, he is not one to be forgotten!

Here's his obituary.

Me & Brian @ JazzFest!
Brian (on left) & me at Jazz Fest.
Farewell, Brian!

10 comments:

T-MAN said...

Very much so one of the better people I had the honor of knowing. Will be missed but not forgotten.

Anonymous said...

Brian was one of the medics that I can honestly say was partially responsible for making me the Paramedic that I am today. I was sad to hear of his diagnosis and only recently found his blog. If you had the honor to work with Brian...then you know what I am talking about. And if you were precepted by him...then you really know what I am talking about. He was one of the best. Those of us who knew hom were lucky to have known him. His diagnosis should remind us all that life really is too short and to never take anything for granted. We will miss you Brian...

---Nick

Sean said...

Nick what's his blog address?

Anonymous said...

www.nopickles.net

---Nick

LatinTeacher said...

To all the paramedics, past and present, who attended the service today, thank you.

Sean, I don't know if you remember me but I have a video of Brian on my blog from just a month ago or so. I really miss my friend already.

http://lostineaston.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Hearing about Brian was terrible news. He was my friend, old roommate and an inspiration.

Brian was the kind of man who didn't accept irresponsibility and lashed out against it, in the city that responsibility forgot. He inspired me to do better for myself and never in a hundred years could I thank him enough. He was also my partner in hedonism, in those dark and fondly remembered times.

Brian was always supportive, immensely creative. He lived his life well, he served his community as a paramedic and a teacher. I'm humbled by his energy and focus and cruched by his passing.

He carried the horrible spectre of cancer on his back and walked with pride, never feeling sorry for himself, but living, really living, instead. And Brian lived well too, an inspiration to the rest of us, the old school, to live our lives as fully as he did his. I'll always remember the haunting message from his blog, "How many breaths have you wasted?" For those who didn't see his blog early on, it was in reference to all the times he asked to have no pickles put on his sandwiches (he hates them) and they were put on there anyway, a warning for us not to waste ourselves on things that don't matter.

Seeing all this support from all of you has made this easier to bear, but brothers, I am hurting...

Anonymous said...

Brian was one of the nicest medics to have ever worked with. He was very considerate towards other people and a great medic. He will be very missed by all that knew or worked with him or around him. Take care my good friend, you will be missed. Jake & Mel

Mr. Clio said...

Sean, Thanks for checking my blog, thanks for this great post, thanks for inspiring the comments above.

It's Friday now, and I'm still processing the events of the week.

And it doesn't feel good.

But I'm a better person--and the world will be a better place, I swear--because I knew Brian Bordelon and will carry on in my feeble way what he was up to.

Unknown said...

I don't even know what to say. Good bye Brian and thanks for everything you taught me. Brett, that is a fantastic picture! Just how I remeber him. Rest easy Brother.
Scooter

Stephen B. said...

I miss this guy. We were later at LSU, it turned out, at the same time, though he was a Pineville LA resident which is sister city of Alec. (my home). Brian was a great pal and I knew what love he had for New Orleans, southern culture and the sports...

Steve B