Friends remember former Abbeville mayor Brady Broussard

Former Abbeville Mayor Brady Broussard passed away Thursday morning, leaving behind family and friends to remember a man who impacted so many during his 82 years.
A memorial mass to celebrate Broussard’s life will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.
Stories of how Broussard touched so many will undoubtedly be told.
“Mr. Brady was a kind and thoughtful man,” Connie Duhon commented. “He lived in my mother’s neighborhood and always stopped his car to ask me how she was. After she passed he would stop and ask how I was doing and always had words of comfort.”
Matthew Trahan of Maurice commented that the loss is felt well beyond Abbeville, where Broussard served as mayor from 1986 to 2002.
“Vermilion Parish has lost a great man who loved his family and community!,” Trahan exclaimed. “A Legend.”
Long-time friend Charlie Sonnier said, “Brady was a good man. I can not say anything bad about him.”
Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza served three terms as a city councilman, all during Broussard’s administration.
“Brady Broussard was an excellent mayor,” Piazza said. “He was a friend to everyone and had few enemies. Everyone he would walk up to, it was just a big smile, a big hand shake and a big hug.
“He was extremely affectionate and friendly.”
As many could attest, Piazza said Broussard’s actions were truly genuine.
“I never heard him say a cross word about anyone,” Piazza said. “I spent a lot of time in his office with him and other councilmen. He never spoke ill of others.
“It was not fake. That was him.”
Those qualities served Broussard well during his time as mayor, which proved to be the one of the longest tenures of any mayor in the city’s history.
After an initial run for mayor against an opponent, Broussard returned unopposed to office three consecutive terms.
“He was a tremendous leader and very well liked,” Piazza said. “He was so well liked, he never had any opposition.”
It certainly would not have come from Piazza, who successfully ran for mayor after Broussard decided not to seek re-election in ‘02.
“I would not have run against him,” Piazza said point blank. “I had too much respect for that man.”
Piazza did have plans to run for mayor at some point, and Broussard helped shape the mayor Piazza is today.
“He taught me through his example how to deal with the public and be a good administrator,” Piazza said. “He showed through example what a good mayor should be and how you should serve the people.”
Broussard accomplished lasting projects during his time as mayor. That includes the construction of the famous gazebo in Magdalen Square, as well as having the I Love Abbeville on the city’s water towers.
Broussard played a pivotal role in starting the Boys and Girls Club in Abbeville. He served on several boards, including being appointed by the governor to the Louisiana Firefighters’ Investment Board and the State Commerce and Industry Board.
In the late 1980s, Broussard made the decision to move Abbeville’s City Hall to its current location in the old Aubrey Hotel.
“That is one of his greatest accomplishments in my opinion,” Piazza said. “He had a great vision for the city.”
It was crystal clear as to why.
“He and Mrs. Bonnie (his wife) really loved Abbeville,” Piazza said.