Raymond John Brandt

Raymond John Brandt entered into eternal life on November 14th surrounded by his loving family after a brief battle with cancer. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Philomena Bonura Brandt and Saxon R. Brandt. He leaves behind a loving family, including his wife Jessica Fussel Brandt, his sister, Rosary Brandt Fischer, and his beloved family, Julie and Darryl Hartline and Salvadore Randazzo, Jr., his grandchildren, Zach and Lexie Hartline, Gabbie, Joey and Bella Randazzo, his beloved grand-dog Champ, as well as a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Known for his business acumen and philanthropic work throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area, his love of education and his family were his true passions. An honor graduate of St. Aloysius, Ray was also a graduate of Loyola University three times over, having received his undergraduate degree in 1969, his MBA in 1972 and his JD in 1979. Since establishing Ray Brandt Nissan in 1983, as President and CEO, the Ray Brandt Auto Group has expanded over the years, adding a diverse selection of automobile manufacturers including Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Toyota, Infiniti, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai and Chevrolet, with locations in Louisiana and Mississippi, employing over 700 people. A licensed attorney and a licensed CPA, as well as a military veteran, Brandt served three terms as Chairman of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission and was recently named Louisiana Dealer of the Year. Among his many professional achievements, Brandt was a two-time past chairman of the Nissan National Dealership Council and a 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year Award nominee. Ray's tireless efforts in business could be seen up to days before his passing, when he and his wife Jessica, purchased Pascal's Manale restaurant, ensuring the continued traditions from one New Orleans family to another. A native New Orleanian, Ray received numerous citizen and civic awards, including the University of New Orleans Hall of Distinction Award, Jr. Achievement Award, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Award, Deus Provedebit Catholic Award, Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, and an Honorary PhD from the University of Holy Cross University and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of New Orleans, among others. Ray loved Mardi Gras and was a member of the Rex Carnival Club, King of the Krewe of Excalibur and King of the Krewe of Argus. A special and recent honor for Ray was being crowned the 2019 King of the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians, Washington D.C., Mardi Gras Ball, a tradition honoring Louisiana's heritage and culture on the national stage since 1944. He served as a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents and a member of several university advisory boards, including the UNO Foundation. He was active in many organizations, including Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, the Italian Sports Hall of Fame and Rex Carnival Club, and has served as past Chairman for the local chapter of the American Heart Association. Ray and his wife, Jessica, many years ago created the Ray and Jessica Brandt Family Foundation to aid in the education of the underprivileged of the greater New Orleans area and to support many organizations that promote better education throughout the community. The Brandt Family Foundation also supports various organizations that promote research to help stamp out many diseases that plague our nation, as well as museums that honor U.S. military veterans. Ray was also an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and fish and passed that legacy on to his grandchildren. He loved baseball and credited his uncle, Zeke Bonura, for setting a great example to follow. The public is invited to a Visitation which will be held at Notre Dame Seminary on Carrollton Avenue Wednesday, November 20th from 1pm until 6pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be said on Thursday, November 21st at 10:30am at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on St. Charles Avenue. Interment will be at Metairie Cemetery immediately following mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity. Many thanks to Dr. Rabia Cattie and Dr. Marideli Scanlan for the wonderful care and family support. To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com