Indiepix weblog » An obituary for Julian Pelle Blaustein Rejto

June 13, 2007

An obituary for Julian Pelle Blaustein Rejto

Filed under: News — Danielle @ 8:29 pm

It is no secret to my friends and loved ones that I adore Meira Blaustein and Laurent Rejto, co-founders of the Woodstock Film Festival. In my brief tenure in the film industry, they are a rare couple who prove that working in the film industry does not have to be synonymous with cynicism or dishonesty. I met Laurent at South by Southwest over a year ago and we immediately hit it off. I had the opportunity to meet his beautiful and inspiring wife Meira soon afterward, and she has since become one of my favorite people in the world (and this is not hyperbole). I hope that our personal and professional relationship continues, well. . . . indefinitely.
I could go on and on, but that would defeat my purpose here. A few days ago, I opened up my inbox and recieved this message about Laurent and Meira’s eldest son. And because I want to respect them, and the memory of their son, I do not want to change any of it, but rather reprint the message I received from Laurent, encourage people to look into Julian and his life, and keep the memory alive of a person who I never knew, but who, from knowing and loving his parents, I am positive was a remarkable human being.

Julian Pelle Blaustein Rejto passed away on Sunday, June 10th 2007. He was 18 years old.
Julian was born on Super Bowl Sunday, January 22, 1989 in Albany, NY. He was five weeks premature and severely disabled.

Julian grew up in Pine Bush, New York in a beautiful red farmhouse. Growing up, Julian was the most beautiful baby. One of his favorite places to sit was under the giant maple tree by the house. He could sit there for hours and just stare with a huge happy smile at the swaying branches. He loved opera. It made him beam. He loved to laugh and he loved to be kissed and hugged, and indeed, he got plenty of that.

Julian was the subject of the film documentary FOR LOVE OF JULIAN, written and directed by his mother, and narrated by Susan Sarandon. All those who worked on the film were volunteers whose lives had been touched by Julian. They wanted to help bring his story to life and to make it count and they did.

When Julian was 5 years old, he moved to the Center for Discovery in Harris NY, where he found a nurturing and caring home filled with love and the best professional care. He was happy there, well taken care of, and loved by many.

From his first hours of life to his last, people said Julian was a trooper. He had a love for life that transcended all odds and all his disabilities. His middle name, Pelle, means miracle in Hebrew, and thoughts of the movie “Pelle the Conqueror” and the great soccer player Pele were vivid in his parents’ minds when they named him. Julian conquered many odds and overcame many obstacles, until finally, he could do it no more.

Julian is survived by his brothers Daniel and Adam, his parents Meira and Laurent, his maternal grandfather Ikutiel and his paternal grandmother Michelle. He will be greatly missed by the thousands who came to know him in the film, his many relatives and his countless friends, including the staff at Albany Ronald McDonald House that knew him first, the teachers at the Brookside School and the many dedicated friends at the Center for Discovery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Julian Pelle Blaustein Rejto’s name to the
Center for Discovery
PO Box 840
Ben Mosche Road
Harris, NY 12472

For more photos, visit http://farmhousefilms.net/julian/julian2/