Today we all said goodbye to a New Orleans one-of-a-kind: Pete Fountain.

His funeral was fittingly held at St. Louis Cathedral, the New Orleans Catholic epitome of the highest honor we could give any esteemed citizen.

It’s hard to believe that Pete is gone. He’s one of those New Orleanians who is emblematic of everything that we love about our city: warm, natural, unaffected, one-of-a-kind, humble, outgoing and affable. And of course, a most talented individual whose family, city and his chosen way of life were so, well, so “New Orleans.”

I met Pete several times, but certainly wasn’t close to him (my mama and daddy knew him; he was the same age as they were, and they loved him; and of course, he was “Half-Fast” in my neighborhood on Mardi Gras). I did have the honor and privilege of interviewing him once. I had no idea what to expect at the time, being a young whippersnapper, and looked at him as an iconic musician with respect. I was, of course, a bit intimidated by his fame and name. But there was no need to be intimidated by Pete.

Talking to him was like talking to an old friend. He made you smile, and feel good about yourself. He was just a pleasure to be around. I am so glad that I was able to meet Pete and spend some time with him.

I would encourage you to watch a documentary that was shown earlier this week on WYES, PETE!, that was produced in 1980—which seems eons ago—but it certainly demonstrated clearly why Pete was a unique part of New Orleans history and music. Thank goodness we have his musical legacy to keep him in our memories forever.

Pete’s memory is enshrined in Musical Legends Park on Bourbon Street in a statue, but I’d like to see him honored by naming a street or a square after him. If the city can change the name of Howard Avenue to honor Andrew Higgins, why can’t we name a street “Pete Fountain Place”? I suggest renaming Union Street (only a four-block street in the CBD).

We’ve already said that we might rename Lee Circle after Allen Toussaint. Let’s give our world-famous and beloved musicians some eternal props by naming our city streets and parks after them too. It’s time.