Brandon John Butera

1995 - 2024

Brandon John Butera passed away peacefully Monday, July 22, 2024, at 29 years of age, surrounded by his loved ones after a heroic three-year battle with kidney cancer. Brandon was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 28, 1995. He was the third and youngest child of Cynthia and Brian Butera. He received his elementary education at Lake Castle Slidell Private School, where he was valedictorian. Brandon then attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans where he excelled as a track athlete and executive board leader. After graduating at the top of his class in 2013, he went on to study at the University of Miami on the prestigious full Stamps Scholarship, where he earned a double bachelor's in Mathematics and Economics. He then completed his education at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, also on scholarship, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. After passing the bar exam, Brandon worked as an attorney for Bracewell LLP in Houston, Texas, where he ultimately settled with his wife Maggie, the love of his life. Although he was an excellent attorney, writing was Brandon's true passion, in which he was exceedingly adept. He was a prolific author, and during his life he wrote several incredible books and screenplays. Brandon loved traveling and world culture - having studied abroad in both Italy and Australia; he had visited all over the world. Brandon was an avid reader and boasted a multitude of other hobbies and interests, including music, journaling, comedy, podcasts, screenwriting and film, chess, wine and cheese, and sports (particularly football and basketball - rooting for the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans). Brandon was a notably fierce friend. Although his friends lived in different parts of the country, he took every opportunity to visit them whenever he could. However, what Brandon loved best was spending time with the most important person in his life: Maggie. Brandon was a caring, brilliant, and selfless soul. Together with their family and friends, Brandon and Maggie raised nearly $100,000 to fund kidney cancer research. He was remarkably resilient, particularly in the face of the unfair adversities with which he was met; he was a strong and brave fighter until the very end. He was always cheerful and exceptionally positive, despite the challenges and hardships he and Maggie endured. His sense of humor was second to none, joking with his friends and family even in his last days. He was a deeply beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, godfather, nephew, grandson, cousin, and friend. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Mary Jane and Clendon Butera; his maternal grandmother, Sybil Oteri; and his paternal aunt, Lydia Butera. He is survived by his loving wife, Maggie Valdes Butera; his two brothers, Benjamin and Robert Butera; his parents, Cynthia and Brian Butera; his godmothers, Kathleen Quatroy and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick; his godfather, Danny McGovern; his maternal grandfather, Robert Oteri; his nieces, Emilia and Matilda Butera (goddaughter); his parents-in-law, Stephen and Julie Valdes; his sisters-in-law, Jacquelyn Valdes, Audrey Valdes, Olivia Jennings Butera, and (soon-to-be) Courtney Poston; and too numerous family and friends to count. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Eric Jonasch, Dr. Bradley Leibovich, Dr. Vince Cataldo, and the entire MD Anderson Cancer Center team for caring so lovingly for Brandon throughout his battle with cancer. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Saturday, August 3, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., followed by a Memorial Mass beginning at 12 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 3368 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119. For those who wish, donations are requested to the Kidney Cancer Association in Brandon's name. "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." - Gandalf the Grey in "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien.