Contributions to the tribute of Dustin Joseph Tortu

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In loving memory of

Dustin

1982 - 2020

Dustin Joseph Tortu

In Loving Memory

1982 - 2020

Andy Peters uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, August 23, 2020

I had a Magical time in high school at Blair Academy, a boarding school in Blairstown, NJ. A lot of it had to do with my best friend and roommate, Dustin D-unit Tortu. We had so many fun adventures together, whether it be going to the Army-Navy game, going to the Jersey Shore, visiting my brother Joe in Burlington, VT, or our trips to Montreal. Dustin was an excellent athlete and was super fast on the football field. I could never catch him. I remember many times him scoring touchdowns on long runs up the sidelines. He was very competitive and always taught me to push a little harder even when you think you can't push anymore. He was not afraid of taking a hit knew how to take risks. He and I were roommates for 4 years together at Blair, which is a very rare occurrence. I do not know anyone else to have done this while at Blair. We would stay up many late many nights talking about life and sports while playing Mario cart. There is only one person in my life that I have spent more nights in the same room than Dustin. It was no secret that Dustin liked to break the rules. Everyone knew he was breaking the rules, but no one could ever catch him. Lol. I remember many close calls and him lying through his teeth. One of Dustin's favorite songs in high school was "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel. When he listened to the song, he would say to me, "Andy, if only the good die young, then I am going to live forever." Well, it turns out that Dustin was a better person than he thought he was. He was a good father to a young boy and girl. Dustin was very proud of them, and they meant the world to him. He was also a good older brother to his younger brother Dylan Porr. Dustin would often disappear and reappear in my life after high school, but when we did get in touch with each other, we were always able to pick off where we left off. I would often reach out to him and see how he was doing, but I never would hear anything back, and then Magically, one day, he would reappear again. In the past five years, I had grown more and more worried about Dustin and his health. I was anxious about him this past March, and I reached out to him to see how he was doing. It turns out this was the same day as his passing. It saddens me that I wasn't able to say goodbye to my friend, and I knew nothing of his passing for five months until yesterday. It made me reflect on our time together and what I learned from him. Dustin had a smile that could light up a room. He was one of the most outgoing people I have ever met. Dustin was a charmer when he wanted to be, and he knew the power of words. He knew how to say the right thing at precisely the right time. He had flaws just like the rest of us, but he knew what these flaws were. Dustin knew how to assemble a team and get help in areas that he was weak. He also knew how to celebrate and how to throw a good party. In many instances, Dustin was one of the first Producers I ever knew. He always believed in me and was a big supporter of mine. Dustin loved how I got into Magic and was fascinated by it. I remember performing for him and his son. I thought that he would make a good Magician, and I was trying to teach him a few things. We would often joke in high school how we would be roommates again at a retirement home and how he would end up dating all of the nurses. (He was such a charmer) Our story ended early Dustin, it breaks my heart that I wasn't able to say goodbye to you. You left a great legacy, and I will look over your family every so often to check in on how they are doing. Rest in peace, my friend. I will push a lot harder and take more risks in your memory. My condolences to your daughter, son, brother Dylan, your Mom, Stepdad Doug, and your Dad and Stepmom. I hope we can all stay in touch.

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