On September 23, 2021 I lost one of my best friends to Covid-19. Mark Braunstein was a spectacular human. The world has lost one of the kindest and most giving men ever.
In 2000, I had the good fortune of meeting Mark at the old Markertek company headquarters in Saugerties. I was looking for support to launch a Film Festival. I left that day with a founding sponsor and a friendship that would bless me forever.
Later on, when things got tough, Mark became the primary sponsor of the Hudson Valley Film Commission. His support directly impacted hundreds of productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and regional economic development. His impact cannot be overstated! In 2015, he suggested turning One Tompsons in Saugerties into a Film Studio. Today, as Upriver, it is hosting an HBO TV show. He never took credit for any of those things.
His humility was admirable. I will also miss his kindness, support, patience, mentorship, wisdom, and his friendship above all.
I miss our breakfast club at Bread Alone, the gossip, laughs, concern, community matters. I miss standing around the kitchen island for more gossip and laughs with barbecued salmon, steak, a little whisky for me, and Katharine’s delicious sides and salads. I miss the firepit, stoking the flames, kind hearted people sitting in a circle. I miss the club chairs by the fireplace reserved for petting Coco and discussing serious matters, or just silence (and petting Coco some more). I miss the Amphicar, driving the pavement one minute and floating magically down river the next.
Mark was a mind reader so it wasn’t always necessary to speak your mind to be heard. He had an uncanny ability to feel compassion, hopes and fears. Maybe it was the fact that we both lost our first born sons. I’ll never quite understand why he was so kind to me. I only know that he was my guardian angel, and he somehow always knew when to come to my rescue. Whenever I felt lonely, Mark would somehow reach out and invite me over. Whenever the Film Commission faced obstacles, he would clear them away. Whenever I felt betrayal or sadness, he would make it disappear, like magic!
I wish I could have rescued him from the treachery of the Lyme disease that stole his health or from the final coup that Covid-19 dealt him. It’s hard to feel so helpless, especially when it’s your guardian angel that needs rescuing.
I’m bereft, but thinking about Katharine and Eliza and Andy. I know how much he adored them. And I know that I was not unique with my feelings. Mark helped thousands of people with his magic humanity.
We all grieve and will never forget our guardian angel.
Godspeed Mark Braunstein.
With love,
Laurent Rejto
Executive Director
Hudson Valley Film Commission
The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to engage, support and promote regional Film & TV productions. As we start our 25th year in 2024, we will continue to recommend thousands of locations, local crew members, actors, background extras, qualified production facilities, post production houses and more. Mark Braunstein was our founding sponsor and best friend. His continued support made it possible for us to continue to create regional economic development.
Support our efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support