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The things with the shortest life in nature are often the most beautiful.
The life of Ori Barto, spanned 17 dense years in which a remarkable young man unfolded like a butterfly. Ori was born prematurely on June 17, 1990 to Gesa and Tzimon Barto in Paris, France. Still in prenatal care hydrocephalus, excess water on the brain, developed and he had a tiny shunt placed in his fragile brain. While traveling the world for many concerts that his pianist father played, one more operation was needed to help his brain fluids to recede. Ori was a witty, yet quiet little fellow, extremely pretty with blond locks and blue eyes. It took him forever to walk and then he made his first 23 steps all at once. This became a character trait, Ori would wait until he is ready and then surprise with outstanding results. He would not learn certain things and excel in others, but on entering Eustis Elementary School at age 7 he became quickly a good reader. Another brain surgery stopped him briefly – he took the obstacle with acceptance and cool, fear was not in him. Noticing his own differences he became a hard and reliant worker and enjoyed school more than anything else. Having friends was his biggest desire and school seemed to be the perfect place. He leaned on teachers, often forcing them to help him understand complex issues that did not come easy to him. They loved him back. From his mother he learned that insight is better than punishment, that respect for uniqueness is a platform for focused and meaningful conversation. He needed that intensity in dialogue for understanding of the world around him that he sometimes could not decipher by himself. From his father he learned that iron will and relentless work takes you a long way – and, that there is freedom in thinking and that music binds it all. He admired his Dad unconditionally always looking to please him with a good imitation of his actions. From his grandparents he learned to know form, kindness, generosity and steadiness. His godfather held a loving umbrella over his life and again nurtured his feel for music. His fishing buddy taught him patience and the beauty of calm, often crowned by a big catch. Ori was well cradled and he knew and appreciated it. He had a fabulous memory for history and his growing interest in its political background gave him a first independent framework of opinion. Ori enjoyed to work in the school’s kitchen and started at 6:00am to brown the croutons and adored his chef. His psychological features, called Asperger’s syndrome got challenged again when he acquired epilepsy at the age of 13. Again, Ori took the new burden like a man without complaint and followed a strict regimen of heavy medication. And within all, he was a typical teenager.
This child had substance, humor and stamina. His oldest love was the theatre. Having started at age 7 at Bay Street Players he enthusiastically embraced any role or job as long as it had to do with the stage. In April he wanted to feature 5 citizens in “The Wiz” at Eustis High School Drama Club.
A seizure accident ended his life. Ori touched many hearts with his able disabilities.
Now he is the teacher, telling us to be sensitive and analytic to the one who is different and giving unconditional friendship to the pure.
Ori died on March 28th at 5:16pm, when the Florida light is so very stunning. His name means ‘My light’.
The memorial service for Ori will begin on Wednesday, April 2nd, 5:16pm in Ferran Park in Eustis in front of the bandshell. It will be a casual gathering of old and young who knew and liked Ori. The preacher he liked as a child at Bay Street Baptist Church, Bobby Richardson will tell Ori's life story. We will hear music by J.S. Bach. Hopefully many students and teachers can join us there and we hope you and your children can come too. Afterwards we will have a private ceremony at our house where Ori will be placed to rest next to his brother Shamayim. Instead of flowers we ask for donations to the Eustis High School Drama Club
