Justin Pageau help with end of life expenses.

2/18/2024 8:50 PM: Justin left us at 8:23 PM. His family wanted to know what music he liked to play for him before he left. I chose Wilco's Sky Blue Sky. He made me love that album. His uncle and Aunt were with him until he left, and I have been talking to his sister since last night. They all appreciate your kindness. He was honored as they pushed him through the floors by all the doctors, nurses and staff. He's at rest now. Thank you all for showing your love for him in this time. We're going to wrap up the gofundme now. Thanks again to each and every one of you. Goodnight.

Love,

Gary Kreitzer

2/18/2024 6:48 PM: I just got that at 7:00 PM tonight Justin will go into the OR to begin the organ donation procedure. If you manage to catch this message, know that at 7:00 it will be official. Thanks again. I'll keep this up as long as I can. I love you all for helping his family out in this time. They've reached out and have seen all this support you've given, and it truly means the world to them. Knowing this many people knew Justin and touched his life. Again, thank you all.

2/18/2024 4:23 PM I put up a pic of Justin when he hiked up the Alps with Spanish Gamble. Not sure which Alps he hiked up precisely, but I remember him telling me from where he stood the mountains you could see were inside the borders of different European nations. On top of the world.

2/18/2024 2:58 PM Eastern. Got a nice load of pictures of Justin from his European tour with Spanish Gamble. Thanks Randy! We're going to keep this page up for a little longer and I will cycle through them while we do. Thanks again to everyone who has pitched in so far.

2/18/2024 Hello everyone. Thank you for donating. I'm in the process of getting the funds raised to Justin's family now. I will keep this up as long as needed, and they will be in charge of it moving forward. If I'm still able to access the page, I will continue to give updates before we transfer funds. We will keep this up as long as needed.

Justin will be an organ donor. He will save lives. Keep him in your hearts and never forget him.

I've been talking to his family and friends since last night and crying. I've been having good talks with them, and just know they did everything that could be done and he had friends and family by his side up until the last minute. Thank you for showing his family and him this kindness.

With love,

Gary Kreitzer and Heather Vanheuveln

Update 2/17/2024 8:44 PM Eastern time.

I got word that Justin is not going to make it this evening. I’m going to keep this up for a bit as all funds raised will be used for end-of-life expenses and go towards his family, which I’ve been in touch with. I’m crying my eyes out as I write this and will need to revisit this after I’ve made the proper arrangements for releasing the funds. Know that your contribution is helping more than you know. Again, if you need to reach out to me, feel free. GoFundMe has privacy controls in place that will not let me post personal info, but you can message me through here and I will find a way to speak with you and share contact info if need be.

I’m trying to figure out what to say, and all I can think of is memories of him living with me in my parents’ house back in Spring Hill. He was working for my father doing construction and I wasn’t even 18 yet. I was too lazy to wake up for work and my father gave him a raise making $2 more than me and told him he was my boss moving forward since I was so lazy. That’s the kind of person he was. Reliable. Always more reliable than I was. I admired him for it so much. I don’t even think my parents charged him rent, and he used a lot of the money he made around that time to buy his brother video games. I wish I could remember what games. A few years later I was the first of our friend group to move to Gainesville and he needed to get out of Spring Hill. I gave him a couch to sleep on and got him a job at the restaurant I worked at. It didn’t take long before they made him my boss there too. I introduced him to his first band in Gainesville that brought him on his first tour. He was so damn talented. I’m rambling now, so I’ll wrap this up. Thank you everyone. I’ll let you know what happens as I hear more. Rest in Peace my good friend. I wish we got to catch up.

Love,

Gary K.

For the explanation of what took place, please scroll past the updates.

Update 2/17/2024: Justin is still not out of the woods yet. He's been making some progress thanks to folks constantly being by his side. Family has been made aware and reached out as well. As soon as I get more information I will make sure to put it up. Thanks again to everyone who donated. I'm going to keep this up as long as I can.

A few notes:

The goal amount was set as a place holder. I had no information given to me about what was needed, and just wanted to have something set up as quickly as possible for Justin. No fundraiser had been put together yet, the clock was ticking and I knew this was the best way to spread the word quickly. Goal amount will probably change as we get closer to figuring out what comes next.

For those who've asked, I have not visited him in the hospital personally, but I am in contact with those who are there with him. It's difficult for me to travel at the moment, and I'm just trying to help out as best I can from Gainesville.

Most of you know how to reach me or know someone who does. I can put you in touch with whoever is with him if the need arises.

Again thank you all for helping out, I will update as best I can over the next few days. - Gary Kreitzer

Update 2/16/2024: Justin had some family check in on him yesterday. Wayne continued to be with him throughout the night. I will check back here later in the afternoon/evening and post another update if I get one. Thanks to all who have donated so far. You're all amazing, and every little bit helps. Keep Justin in your thoughts. -GK

Justin Pageau had an accident on Monday February 12th. What follows is an update from his closest friend, Wayne, who has been there with him in the hospital. I've edited the following for clarity:

"I have added all of you to this group to keep updates on The Bird (Justin Pageau)

Most of you know this, but to keep this rumor clean:

We came to Hernando County on Monday to visit my mom and take my daughter to a park. On the way home stopped at Texas Roadhouse on SR50 in Brooksville. After a great day he started choking on a steak. After trying to swallow it for a minute he stood up to signal he was choking. I began to perform the Heimlich on him. He went limp very quickly and with my hernia I couldn't hold him up. Some men came to hold him up for me. He quickly began vomiting and they backed away. They dropped him on a wood table severely banging his head. I started CPR as he had no pulse. When I would blow into his airway, I could feel his cheeks blow out. Even though his heart started beating I could feel there was still an obstruction.

The paramedics couldn't open it, so he went for almost 15 minutes with no oxygen.

I promise you all I tried so hard, but I couldn't do it. I'm sorry.

When we got access to his room, he was in a coma. No brain activity with a machine helping him breathe.

I have not left his side. All of you who have brought food, helped with gas to get home, you are my heroes. I know he would have done the same.

They removed him from the breathing machine today. He is breathing on his own with conviction and after almost 4 days he is responding in the slightest ways to us.

His doctor said they could pinpoint his brain damage over a 48-hour test period. If there is any permanence to it.

I am not going to read books to an empty shell, he wouldn't want that. But if there is a conscious man trying to break out, I will not leave until it is finalized.

You all have this chat together until it's over. He is also in it if he ever wakes up to look back.

Please let the others know who you are when you comment as a lot of you may not know each other, but I am sure you'll love to share together. I'll keep you all updated. Love you."

I've made an email associated with this gofundme for anyone to reach out and will give out information as needed to those who want to reach out. If Justin was part of your life at some point, please consider helping in some way. Off the top of the head I know he's had an ambulance ride, multiple days in the hospital, and I'm sure there will be tests and therapy for a long time to come if he's going to get better.

I will update the amount if needed, and do my best to update here with any information I find out.

Thank you for reading this far and anything you can donate will help.

Thanks -Gary K.