Sad News, Justin Van Poelvoorde, Long Time Librarian At Roosevelt Island New York Public Library Branch Passed Away Last Monday - Condolences To His Family, Friends & Colleagues

Sad news. Justin Van Poelvoorde,

the long time New York Public Library Roosevelt Island branch librarian, passed away last Monday. According to a spokesperson from the NYPL:

Justin Van Poelvoorde served the Roosevelt Island community for over 14 years and throughout his time with the Library he was a dedicated and trusted colleague and friend. The Library was stunned by the news of his passing and we appreciate the community's support as we grieve his loss and honor his memory.

Justin Van Poelvoorde's colleagues at the Roosevelt Island Library remember him:

Justin was a wonderful member of the Roosevelt Island team. His unique sense of humor and vast knowledge of movies and genre fiction made working with Justin a pleasure and a whole lot of fun. He will be sorely missed by the entire Roosevelt Island community. - Anthony Americo

I worked with Justin for the past eight years, he was a kind and generous person. He was always buying the staff treats and other nice unexpected trinkets.

He was funny and always pulling pranks on the staff, he will be missed. -Yolanda Boggan

It was a pleasure to work with Justin. He was a very cool Adult Librarian. His taste for hats, ties, and blazers was unique and only he could pull off. His smile, presence, and uncanny sense of humor will be missed. His professional service to the library and community will always be remembered.
-Carlos Chavez

Justin was the first person to make you laugh about the silliest things. He was always there to cheer you up with treats from his favorite bakery. He touched so many lives every day with his service to librarianship and the Roosevelt Island community.
-Jennifer Minehardt

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President (RIHS) Judy Berdy said:

Justin always worked with our RIHS programs. It is a sad loss.

A remembrance at the Roosevelt Island branch library was set up for him, along with a condolence book that will be given to his family.

On Tuesday, NYPL President Anthony Marx sent this message:

Dear NYPL Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that our colleague, Justin Van Poelvoorde., suddenly passed away yesterday. Justin was the Adult Librarian at the Roosevelt Island Branch, where he has worked for nearly 15 years.

Justin began his career at the Library as an Information Assistant at the Yorkville Branch and, shortly after, realized that he had a passion for librarianship and decided to pursue his Masters in Library Science. He was dedicated to the Library and his profession and he truly made a difference—from the patrons and communities that he served, to the relationships he built with his colleagues. He will be missed.

... Over the coming days and weeks we will find ways to honor Justin’s life and his contributions to the Roosevelt Island community. We will also share details on the funeral arrangements as they develop.

Please join me in sending our deepest condolences to the Van Poelvoorde family and his colleagues at the Roosevelt Island Branch.

Justin Van Poelvoorde's brother Timur adds:

Friends,

First, my deepest thanks for all the expressions of sympathy, support and love in this, the worst week in memory for me and my family. My brother was widely admired and his death was a shock to us all.

If you are in NYC or are likely to make the journey here, Justin’s memorial service will be held at:
Greenwich Village Funeral Home, 199 Bleecker Street, NYC 10012 this Sunday December 2nd at 10:30 AM.

A reception will immediately follow at:20 Charlton Street NYC 10014.

If you are inclined to send flowers, we would like to offer you the opportunity to contribute instead to:

The Friends of the New York Public Library, on whose website a donation page in Justin’s name will shortly be available.

Thank you again for all your kind texts calls and emails and don’t hesitate to send any photos you might have for display at the memorial.

Love,

Timur

Condolences to Justin Van Poelvoorde's family, friends and colleagues.

UPDATE 11/30:

This is a terrible blow. Justin was a very good friend of my dad's, he ran the science fiction book club at the library on Roosevelt Island which is one of my dad's only social outlets these days, and he often accompanied Dad on excursions around the city. https://t.co/MA1i0U1r8z

— Feliz Taviedad (rhymes with gravydad) (@TheRealTavie) November 30, 2018