Tribute to Brian "Griper" Nugent

The BIA is sadden to hear of the passing of Brian "Griper" Nugent. At the height of the pandemic, Griper as he was affectionately known started volunteering at the Broadmoor Food Pantry. He was a diligent and compassionate person who exhibited many selfless qualities. He will be deeply missed by the Broadmoor Food Pantry and the Broadmoor community as a whole.

Brian Pyne Nugent, a renowned live concert sound engineer and a beloved figure in the New Orleans community, died suddenly on June 15, 2021. He was in New York City at the time, caring for his aunt while preparing to embark on his first post-Covid music tour with the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band after a brief stop home to New Orleans. He was 50 years old.

Mark Orlic, a friend of Griper and fellow food pantry volunteer said the following. "He was always willing to help out in any way necessary, offering a helping hand whenever someone asked. He consistently had this positive attitude that was almost infectious, like when Griper was around it was hard to have a bad day. I got the chance to get to know him just a little bit, both inside and outside the food pantry, but what I learned was that he was a genuinely caring person who had this positive approach to life, while always keeping it real. He's going to be missed."

Broadmoor Food Pantry Coordinator Loren Brodie shared the following remarks about Brian "Griper" Nugent. "When I think about Griper, there is a clear picture in my mind of him standing in the door of the food pantry - soaking wet. He had just walked from his house to the pantry in the middle of a rain storm. That morning his car wouldn't start but rather than take that as a clear sign not to come in, Brian viewed it as extra motivation, knowing that his help would be needed now more than ever. He spent the whole day soaked through to the bone, never complaining and somehow always smiling. And that's who Griper was to me. Always positive, always with a can-do attitude, and someone who you always wanted to be around. I'm saddened by the fact that I didn't know Brian long, but I know I'm better off for having known him at all."

Please join family and friends to celebrate Griper’s life at a memorial service followed by a second line and reception on June 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Avenue.Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the service will begin promptly at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Broadmoor Food Pantry in the honor of Brian “Griper” Nugent or the Navajo & Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund organized by Ethel Branch. His obituary can be viewed here.