The Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign each expressed their condolences today to the families and friends of Christopher Nadeau and Brandon Jewell who were killed in an auto accident on February 28.

Brandon Jewell (left) and Christopher "Buck" Nadeau

"Along with their many friends, the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce Board has experienced tremendous grief by the tragic and untimely death of our friend, member and board treasurer, Chris (Buck) Nadeau and his partner, Brandon Jewell," said John Wade, president of the GLBT Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the chamber's board members. "While we mourn, we also celebrate their lives and all they meant to the community and those who loved them."

In a separate statement, The Nashville Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign said, "Chris was a good friend and member of HRC and very active in the local GLBT community. Through his florist, Blooming Boutique, Chris provided a great deal of support to HRC - providing the floral arrangements for the HRC Equality Dinner, along with flowers for other HRC events and auctions for the last several years."

"Chris, or 'Buck' as most knew him, was a wonderful, wonderful man. I am devastated as many more in our community will be," said Jeremy Davis, HRC Board of Governors. "He and Brandon added so much to the Nashville GLBT community through their friendship and generosity."

For information on the memorial services for the two men, see our related story below.