A celebration of life for Ian Michael Weinman will be held Nov. 20 at Fuego's Bistro. Credit: Courtesy Lisa Needham

On Sept. 10, our beloved son, Ian Michael Weinman was involved in a motorcycle accident while traveling through the Lincoln Tunnel from New York City to his home in New Jersey. 

Despite wearing his helmet, Ian sustained a severe brain injury requiring him to be placed on life support in a non-communicative state. After consulting with his medical team, we were informed that this was the state Ian would remain in indefinitely with no hope of him returning to an awake, communicative state whatsoever and that he would be sustained entirely by medical apparatuses.

We were faced with the decision of whether we wanted to keep him sustained in this way or to remove life support, which we came to decide was the more humane path.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 12:24 p.m. EST, Ian Michael Weinman crossed quickly into heaven. In his departure, he became a light in the sky, burning brighter than ever before. Ian left us the only way he knew how: fighting until the very end. He never gave up, even in the face of tragedy. He felt no pain. He was met eagerly and with open arms. Now, he is at peace in a place more beautiful than we could ever imagine.

To speak about Ian’s life is to tell the story of someone you only come across once and that’s if you’re really lucky.

We happen to be those lucky ones.

Ian would want us to know he’s free now, at peace, loving each of us even more fiercely from his place of pure light, free from any pain. To know Ian was to have a greater appreciation for life itself. Anyone who had the privilege of being his friend experienced a wild ride because with Ian, every second mattered. Each minute of his life was spent in vivid color, in full volume. He brought an infectious energy that touched everyone. He inspired those near him to catch even a glimmer of that light and pass it on. It is now our duty to do so.

Being called to the sea, adventure, music and love, Ian brought joy, laughter, depth and a greater appreciation for this gift we call life to everyone around him. He was unstoppable, he was strong, he was brave and he was magnetic.

Ian marched to the beat of his own music, showing others how to find the courage to follow their own paths. So many of us met Ian at a place in our lives when we needed Ian, and we needed hope. Ian filled that space, making every moment electric. Because of how Ian forged ahead, many who were lucky to be close to him followed his arrow until they could be bold enough, like Ian, to follow their own. He had so much life to live, so many hearts to touch. He knew he had a mission in this lifetime, and he fulfilled it.

There was no minute spent with Ian that was boring, quiet, or uncomfortable. He brought comfort and joy to not only those closest to him, but everyone around him. He had many places to go and many people to touch and he did it without a blink.

For Ian, life was a wild, exhilarating journey to the very edge. He felt everything deeply, from the beauty of the world around him to the music that moved his soul. Most importantly, he loved with a fierceness that few have ever known. His love was a force, opening our eyes and hearts to what true friendship, brotherhood and love could be.

Whenever you are needing Ian, or you feel lost, look up to the sky and know he’s there, still guiding us. He was always our North Star — only now, he is in a real sense.

While we grapple with the profound void he’s left behind, Ian wants us to live boldly, just as he did. To follow our own arrows, to live fully and fearlessly.

We will hold a community celebration of life for Capt. Ian Weinman on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Fuego’s Bistro, 2001 Sidewinder Dr., in Park City. We welcome everyone to join us as we share music, conversation, memories and hugs in honor of Ian’s life.

Thank you to those of you who have shared condolences, memories and donations; your kindness has been a great comfort to us during this time.

Ian Michael Weinman celebration of life