A Tribute to Justin Chearno

There have been a lot of words used to describe Justin Chearno in the last few days: father, husband, inspiration, colleague, supporter, and the one that keeps popping up over and over and over again, friend. Justin‘s true gift was to make anyone in his presence feel like they were his close friend, whether they had known him for years or they had just met him.

For anyone lucky enough to share a meal or a show or a few bottles of wine with him, it was a true pleasure and something you wanted regularly in your life.  He was one of those rare people who could bring so many people together because his excitement for life was so palpable, so infectious, anyone wanted to be a part of what he was doing and enjoy what he loved.

I can say that my life would be very different had it not have been for Justin. From when we met at UVA, he immediately welcomed me into his world and introduced me to so many people, restaurants (essentially all of Paris), bands and wine that are a big part of my life today.  To sit across a table from him, to hear his laugh, to talk shop and listen to his unique insights, it is something I will carry with me forever.

While we’ve had countless conversations over the years, we have two that are on the record, and we put them together here for anyone who wants to listen. In 2013, he & Scott DeSimon sat down with us to talk about the Turing Machine reunion / Brooklyn in the 90s and a few years later he co-hosted, along with Daniel Willis, to chat about Nordic cuisine and the recent opening of The Four Horsemen.

To his family, we send you all of the love and support, and to his friends, which there are many, we want to thank Justin for connecting all of us. We will miss you, but never forget you.