John Brennan Hussey

John Brennan Hussey

May 29, 1934 - June 15, 2026

John Brennan Hussey died peacefully on June 15, 2026, after a brief illness.
 
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26th at Osborn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Saturday, June 27, 2026, with John’s nephew, Fr. Robert "Bob" M. Hussey, SJ officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Roger N. Ennis, F. Dean Griffen, M.D., Charles C. Grubb, Don E. Jones, John M. Madison, Jr, Keith "Dee" Peterson and Mandel C. Selber, Jr.
 
John B. Hussey was born on May 29, 1934, and was a lifelong Shreveport resident. He was a lawyer since 1958. Before becoming Mayor, he was a partner in Smitherman, Lunn, Hussey & Chastain law firm. He served two terms as the Mayor of the City of Shreveport from 1982-1990 and was a member of the first Shreveport City Council from 1978-1982 and served as Chairman of the City Council in 1980.
 
John was predeceased by his wife, Emily "Mimi" Wile Hussey, with whom he was married for 54 years; his parents, John B. and Inez D. Hussey; his brothers, Robert Gregory (Greg) Hussey and Dennis M. (Denny) Hussey. John is survived by his sons, D. Brennan Hussey (Ellen) of Shreveport and John E. Hussey of El Dorado Hills, CA and grandchildren, Duncan J. Hussey, Edward B. Hussey (Haley), Emily H. Hitscherich (Andrew), J.T. Hussey and Tyler B. Hussey; his sister, Katherine (Kay) H. Frederickson, brother, Roger E. Hussey and sisters-in-law, Siesel W. Maibach (Howard) and Sandra M. Hussey, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
 
John's friend, Mayor Tom Arceneaux, who served on the Shreveport City Council during Mayor Hussey's two terms as Mayor, recently stated:
 
"Mayor Hussey's time in office stands as a testament to the importance of civic leadership grounded in compassion, vision, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of citizens. He leaves behind a legacy of service and lasting reminder that public office is a calling to serve others and strengthen the community we call home."
 
Some of John B. Hussey's accomplishments as Mayor are as follows. He initiated one of the largest construction programs in the city's history, in spite of the area's lagging economy. Major street construction included the Fant Parkway North and South, Pines Road, Kingston Road, and many others. Extensive drainage improvements were constructed during his administration. During his time as Mayor, many park improvements were made including Betty Virginia Park, Southern Hills Park, David Raines Park, C.C. Antoine Park, East Kings Highway Park, Bickham Dickson Park, and others. He constructed major water and sewer facilities, including the expansion of the Amiss Water Treatment Plant and the Lucas and M.L. King Wastewater Treatment Plants, as well as the Woolworth Landfill and Fair Grounds Field. He began the 911 Emergency telephone system and initiated the city's Emergency Ambulance System. He instituted the economic development program known as the Mount Auburn Study, which led to creation of the Biomedical Research Foundation and the Government Procurement Program, which assists local small businesses.
 
Under Mayor Hussey's direction, the City of Shreveport hosted its 1985 Sesquicentennial. On July 1, 2025, he was the Grand Honoree at the Celebrate Downtown Legacy at the Chamber of Commerce, hosted by his friend, Cedric B. Glover, Executive Director of the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority and former Mayor, and emceed by his friends, Mark and Mike Mangham of Twin Blends.
 
John served as President of the Louisiana Council of Mayors and was a member of the Governor's Task Force on Economic Development, the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry, and the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Municipal Association.
 
John attended Sewanee Military Academy for the last three years of high school where he was a standout diver; he won the 1-meter diving (national) title at the 1951 and 1952 AAU Championships. He attended the University of North Carolina, where he was the Atlantic Coast Conference Diving champion (1-meter) in 1954 and 1955, and sports editor of the Daily Tar Heel newspaper. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated from LSU Law School in 1958, earning a J.D. degree. At LSU he was managing editor of the LSU Law Review.
 
John was active in community activities. He was elected to the Southfield School Hall of Fame. He served on the Board of Directors of numerous local civic associations, including the Biomedical Research Foundation, Christus Schumpert Hospital, the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport, the River City Repertory Theater, the Shreveport Bar Association, the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Shreveport Association for the Blind, Southfield School, and others. In 1999 he was named recipient of the Humanitarian Award presented by the National Council of Christians and Jews; his wife, Mimi, had previously received the same award.
 
John served as an officer in the U.S. Infantry and was a Captain in the Army Reserves. He held a private pilot's license and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
 
John was a voracious reader, and loved golf, playing from his teens until he was in his eighties. Most of all, John cherished his family and the time he spent with them.