Gregory Pechukas

Gregory Pechukas, 71, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 21, 2016. He was fondly known as 'Justice Per Curiam' for the many opinions he drafted for the Louisiana Supreme Court as its longtime Director of the Central Staff. Raised in the Northeast, Greg graduated from Yale University in 1966 and the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1969. He then moved to New Orleans to work for New Orleans Legal Aid Clinic, then private practice, and eventually to the Supreme Court where he worked for 37 years. Despite his great intelligence, he put all those who met him at ease with his sense of humor and quirky demeanor and endeared himself to his many friends across all walks of life. A Wagner aficionado, former racing bicyclist, marathon runner, and mountain climber (of the Teton range in Wyoming and the 14 ft. rockwall in his erstwhile dining room), he could often be seen Uptown walking his many St. Bernard and, in later years, German Shepherd dogs. He was most importantly the very proud and loving father of Zachary Crawford-Pechukas, who survives him along with his brother, Phillip Pechukas; nephew, Rolf Pechukas; and nieces Maria, Sarah, and Amy Pechukas. A memorial service will be held August 6, 2016 at 11 AM at St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School, 5116 Magazine St, in Drexel Hall (corner of Constance and Soniat). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Innocence Project New Orleans (www.ip-no.org), Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (www.lpomusic.com), and New Orleans German Shepherd Rescue (www.nogsr.org).