Benj Pasek

Benj Pasek Instagram – Oh, my magical friend John. He created so much beauty and laughter, joy and mischief, community and care around him. He was everyone’s biggest champion, connector and megaphone for their latest play or musical, art show or book. He had the most elegant demeanor, the nastiest humor, and cultivated the most interesting of circles. The common denominator was, of course, him, and the kind and witty, deeply loving and soulful human he was. He will be so missed. I have so many stories over the years full of gossip and intrigue, but what I’ll remember most is the way John lifted people up and shouted from the rooftops to advocate for his friends. He found a home in NYC after growing up without many resources in Ireland and forged a path here to build the most fantastical life for himself, swirling with music and poetry, paintings, plays and people. He made a family of friends. He cultivated a life that was precious and beautiful and inspiring. He was charming and unapologetically queer, deliciously handsome and downright fucking fabulous. He would give free haircuts to hot men he wanted to know or call you to come into his salon to sit you next to someone who would change the course of your entire life because you met them there. He was selfless in so many ways and truly a one-of-kind human. He was the kind of man you move to New York City to hope to meet and the kind of man you move to New York City and hope to become. He embodied the best of a magic that feels impossible to bottle or properly describe. He made people feel beautiful. Sending love to all of those who knew him and loved him. The world lost a great one today. @johnbar_ @johnbarrettnyc | Posted on 10/Aug/2023 02:05:13