Justin golfing in Miami
Justin and Steph in Italy, 2023
From left, Justin’s father, Hal, mother Ricki, uncle Robert, and brother Jared on the golf course
Justin’s aunt Sabrina (left) with his mother, Ricki, at the event
“Make every day count.”
This is the message Justin Model’s family believes he would have wanted others to hear. This is how Justin lived his life. A bright and ambitious 33-year-old, Justin was a rising star at ING known for mentoring colleagues and his deep passion for building connections and sharing knowledge. A central facet of Justin’s life was his love for companionship and adventure; he was an avid golfer, traveler, and thrill-seeker, embracing every moment to its fullest.
Justin’s fiancé, Steph, articulated his character: “Justin loved being around people and could make friends with anyone from any walk of life. He was someone who made the most of every day and wanted to take on new adventures.”
In April 2024, Justin suffered a devastating brain bleed and was taken to The Mount Sinai Hospital. Despite great medical care, Justin did not recover, leaving behind his family, his fiancé, and a multitude of friends and colleagues who treasured his spirit and zest for life.
After the tragedy, Justin’s family was determined to honor his memory and quickly established the Justin G. Model Foundation to support brain injury research.
They agreed that a golf outing fundraiser was the most fitting way to gather together, as Justin had an unrivaled passion for the sport, played all over the world, and even once made a hole-in-one. “If he could have played golf every single day, he probably would have. And he was damn good at it. So that’s how it came about,” Justin’s mother, Ricki, said.
With the generous sponsorship of ING, Justin’s family and friends hosted the inaugural Justin G. Model Memorial Golf Outing this past April at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. With 180 guests, the Foundation raised $70,000 for the Brain Injury Research Center (BIRC) at Mount Sinai.
The outing served as a joyful gathering where friends and family reminisced about the good times they had with Justin and the joy he brought to everyone around him. “I think for us, the outing was a really good way to bring people together and have fun in his name. That’s what Justin would have wanted. Were there some tears? Absolutely, but there were a lot of laughs. It was about bringing people together, having fun, remembering the good times, and doing something that he loved,” Steph reflected.
Ricki shared how developing the foundation and planning the outing provided a channel not only to remember Justin but also to make a positive impact. “It also gives me a way of keeping his name alive, saying his name every day, and being able to help others and prevent what happened to us. As a mother, I would want to do everything to prevent this.”
“We are profoundly thankful to the Model family for their generosity and for choosing to honor Justin’s life with this tribute golf outing,” said BIRC Director Kristen Dams-O’Connor, PhD, who is also the Jack Nash Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, and Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Their support will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact, benefiting countless individuals and families affected by brain injuries.”
The Model family’s commitment to promoting awareness and funding for brain injury research ensures Justin’s memory lives on while advancing the science that could save and improve lives in the future, further solidifying Justin’s positive impact on the world. Plans are underway for next year’s golf outing, with the goal of increasing participation and funding.
“We want to keep Justin’s name front of mind for everyone who knew him and for everyone who didn’t get a chance to know him. Hopefully, with the funds that we’re raising, we can help another family not experience the loss that we’ve experienced,” Ricki said.
In Steph’s words, “I believe Justin’s message would be that you don’t know how long you’re going to have, so make the most of the days that you do have. If you do that, you’re going to live a happy life.”
Connect with the Justin G. Model Foundation on social media:
- Facebook: JGM Golf Outing
- Instagram: @jgmouting
- Website: www.justingmodelfoundation.org
From athletic events to special celebrations, we have endless opportunities to support Mount Sinai, and we are here to help you! Please contact Whitney Cortes at Whitney.Cortes@mountsinai.org or (646) 877-4784.