A free spirit, someone who followed his heart, incredibly creative, and always up for an adventure. That is how family have remembered the shining light that was Jason Rebellato.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Parents Nadia and Lui, Dennis and Raquel, and second oldest sibling of Gemmi, Lucas, Jy, Sebastian, Zane and Larni, he loved without limits and was loved deeply in return.
Lost tragically in an accident near Gosford in September at only 37 years old, his light will live on with people remembering how special he made them feel.
He loved everyone. He never judged, and treated everyone the same no matter who they were. He made everyone feel special, mother Nadia said.
She remembers one of Jasons friends coming up to her and saying, I thought Jason was my best friend, but he was everybodys best friend.
He just shone, attracting so many beautiful people in our lives.
Extremely close with Zio Steve, the duo shared their musical passions, as well as having their sights locked on Bali.
Jason and Steve was busy inventing the next amazing recipe for Rebos Taste of Italy, a restaurant in progress which was to be theirs in Candidas, Bali, Nadia said.
Long time friend and fellow music aficionado Jon Romeo said the shock at Jasons loss was huge.
Normally when you meet talented people they have an ego, but he was so down to earth, so generous. No-one disliked him at all, Jon said.
When I met him in 2000, he was already a local celebrity... we used to freestyle jam, play for hours and hours, and played together as part of a band.
He was a guitar god. Everyone who met him, even if it was only once, he made an impression. Everyone knew Rebs, or Rebo.
Playing for local bands such as Ultimatum, No Exit, and many others in and around Griffith, his passion for guitar was well known.
He attracted like-minded musos an created his first band at school, and his days, nights, weekends were spent jamming with Mattey and Tangs, eventually meeting up with Joe Sergi then to go busking at the Vintage Festival, Nadia said.
His talent saw him back the likes of Jimmy Barnes at the Yoogali Club. After school, Jason went off to start a career in music.
The first of many ventures, he was off to college in Sydney where he studied a contemporary music course with his lead guitar.
Listen to Jason Rebellato on BandCamp
He had such a flair for the creative, he was a free spirit. His strong creative streak also translated well in the kitchen, from making pizza to becoming head-chef and glorified manager of Belvedere.
I am so proud. He lived his life to the full, always had from the moment he was born.
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.