‘Treasure of Louisville’ killed on U.S. 287 - A beautiful soul being honored.

[NOW tense]

I was reading my news this morning and found this. People should take the time to read the comments section. It is not everyday that you see what an impact one person can have on a community

Rest in Peace John Breaux



Laura Snider and Kyle McDaniel, Camera Saff Writers

LAFAYETTE, Colo. — While police were still investigating the tragic death of a pedestrian on U.S. 287 — and hours before the name of the victim was officially released to the public — a small crowd of bystanders had already gathered at the scene, sure they knew who had been killed but hopeful they were wrong.

By late Friday, their fears were confirmed by the coroner. John Breaux, whose warm smile and gentle heart were famous throughout eastern Boulder County, was dead.

It was the bike that gave it away. Breaux was never without his bike, friends said, which on Friday afternoon stood alone, propped on its kickstand at the edge of U.S. 287 near the scene of the accident. Two white trash bags — probably filled with recycling and litter — hung from the handle bars.

“That bike always has the bags on it,” said Mindy Bentley, a longtime Louisville resident who stopped at the accident when she saw the bike. “He’s always picking stuff up whether it’s trash or cans, helping in some way, shape or form.”

Snip

News of Breaux’s death spread quickly throughout eastern Boulder County on Friday. The Camera’s Web site was flooded with stories of Breaux’s generosity: “Always a smile, a wave, a kind word. Everywhere he went he brightened someone’s day,” said one poster. “Thank you for sharing your gigantic heart with us John, you’ll never be forgotten,” wrote another.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/jan/30/John-Breaux-lousiville-man-killed-in-287-accident/

One of many great posts

Posted by reikiwave on January 31, 2009 at 9:10 a.m.

I met John a couple of year ago in the Boulder Albertsons on a cold winter evening. He passed by me, stopped and told me I was an angel. I've been having a hard time and have given up believing in humans and life in general. His smile and his words pulled me out of my dark place and I am here to tell you all that HE was and is THE ANGEL! I will never forget you John! May you take your rightful place among the angels and look down on us and continue to teach us what it is to be human to one another.

[pleah]

1. Very sad. n/t

[rawtribe]

2. K&R

Rest in peace.

[gratefultobelib]

3. So sorry. He was a sweet man.

[mike_c]

4. wow-- read those comments indeed....

I've never even BEEN there and I'm weeping. Talk about someone being well loved. It sounds like the entire community knew and loved John Breaux. :cry:

[geckosfeet]

5. Peace

[InternalDialogue]

6. R.I.P. John

Losing a man like this is horrible, but look at the amazing comments -- it seems like this man was in the right place at the right time for everyone in town. One man was the touchstone for probably hundreds of others who didn't know each other. That's what community is. What a shame he's gone.

Posted by kchaux on January 30, 2009 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope the man in that linked photo isn't the one who was killed - he opened the door for me at Starbucks on McCaslin nearly every weekday morning in recent memory. He always had a kind word for me, I hope that I did the same for him.



Posted by me10101 on January 30, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am at a loss of words. He showed me his bowling score yesterday when I saw him at the gas station. I agree, we need to pay it forward.



Posted by All_American on January 30, 2009 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I also would see that guy around town.......one time I was in Albertsons and he looked over at me and said "That James Bond movie is really good"

I thought that was totally random and wild, because about an hour earlier I was trying to decide which movie to go see:)



Posted by quickstart4601 on January 30, 2009 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When my son and I were at Little Ceasars a few months ago he wanted one of those balls from the little pin ball machine game but I didn't have a quarter... John was in there and said to my son "here's a quarter" and while waiting for our pizza's my son and John talked about being a kid... every time we would be at Albertsons John always gave my son a quarter to get a new ball at the little ceasars... he called my son pin ball boy...



Posted by OrangeBowl on January 30, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The first encounter I had with Mr. Breaux was early(5:00am)one morning as I was leaving my house in Louisville for work.He was taking everyones newspaper from their driveway and placing it immediatly in front of their front door.Over the years speaking with him at Diamond Shamrock and 7-11 was truly a pleasure on every occasion.He was from California and seemed to have seen every movie ever released.Thank you for sharing your gigantic heart with us John,you'll never be forgotten.




Posted by kitty_sargent on January 30, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My family and I are so distressed to hear about John's death. When my children were little they called him the "furry guy" and always commented on how nice he was.

For a long time my newspaper would be on my front step - I never knew how it got there. Of course, it was John, who I saw one morning taking papers to everyone's doorstep. He later told me he was asked to stop.

John truly epitomized "loving thy neighbor" by committing random acts of kindness. We will miss him.

[DiverDave]

7. Dang, Just reading how this man

touched the people there.
I'm in tears, we seem to have lost a great, kind soul.

I never knew you John, but you are in my heart...

[liberalmuse]

8. Oh my god. This man had true riches.

And he spread them around where ever he went. His life story inspires me. I want to try and be like him.

[NOW tense]

10. It is amazing isn't it. nt

[NOW tense]

9. I don't usually do this.

I am asking people to please kick this story. It is not for my ego. I did not know this man. I just want as many people as possible to see what being a kind person can do and to honor him.

[Vektor]

11. K&R - sounds like he was a great man. n/t

[NOW tense]

12. More stories at another news site.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=108891&catid=339

I wish CNN would pick this story up.

[InternalDialogue]

13. Kick for the inspiration and to honor John.

:kick:

[chill_wind]

14. What a sad loss for his community. May his memory

and his example long live on in the peoples' hearts.

[lafayettegirl]

15. How amazing!

I am from the area, and knew John for about five years. He was a beautiful man and it is amazing that his story is reaching so many people! I really am touched, and find this to be the greatest honor for him. I found this site while googling his name to see what different people are writing about him.

[feistydem]

16. Rest in Peace, Brother John. You were an angel among us.

We were so fortunate to have John live in our community and take such good care of us. He was a soul full of love and compassion, despite his inner turmoil. I will miss seeing him and his heartwarming smile!

[GeorgeGist]

17. Sounds like a man who found sanity ...

elevating from the depths of nonsense; like angels do.

[Azooz]

18. R. I. P.

[DrZeeLit]

19. He lived the most difficult and courageous life -- he was real. I can't imagine how

difficult living strictly for kindness would be.

I know we all strive for some happy medium... but to basically open your hands in a gesture of service and live that way. Wow.

I believe that we all have to try, or we're going down the tubes.
Look at the greed and selfishness around us.
And it's not just about money.

I keep asking myself how we can change? who will actually give up something material and rein in their ego?
Not the money guys. That whole "greed is good" philosophy is so entrenched.
You think they would be like John?
They would snicker and call him a loser.
But which of them (or even me) will have a living epitaph like the loving comments here?

I once read (and I forget where) that you need to envision your funeral and what you would want people to say about you.
And then... you need to do that stuff WAY before you die.
Or else... that certainly won't be what people say or remember.

I'm chastened by this man's selfless ability to seemingly live with less and give more.
In the dark days to come, he will be the answer. His example is the answer.

[TBF]

20. Everyone is important. Thank you for posting.

:kick: