Celebrating George Romero’s life
made an indelible mark on movie-making. He had more than two dozen films to his name, including cult favorites “Dawn of the Dead,” “Day of the Dead” and “Land of the Dead.” He collaborated with horror writer Stephen King on two movies filmed in Western Pennsylvania in the 1980s and 1990s.
There were many speakers Sunday, including his wife, Suzanne, who assured listeners, “He loved you.”
Kevin Kriess, 54, of Zelienople, owner of the Living Dead Museum in Evans City and director of the annual “Living Dead” weekend festival that began Friday and ended Sunday, said the number of festival attendees grows each year since its first in 2008. He estimated that some 1,500 to 2,000 were on hand this weekend. Of that number, about 200 attended the Sunday tribute to Mr. Romero.
The museum opened in 2013 in Evans City, although it had its start in 2008 in the back of Mr. Kriess’ toy store at the Monroeville Mall, where some of Mr. Romero’s infamous zombies once were filmed walking about the place.
Gary Streiner, 71, of Forward Township, Butler County, put together the tribute that he insisted was a celebration. Mr. Streiner was one of the initial group of 10 people who put in $600 each to bankroll the filming of “Night of the Living Dead” and who served as sound engineer and even appeared in the film.
He was the catalyst to the very first annual Living Dead festival, held each year in October, the month when “Night of the Living Dead” was released in 1968.
“Lives have been changed by [Mr. Romero,]” he said as vehicles snaked their way up the not-quite two-lane road to the cemetery Sunday and people found places to stand in front of the chapel.
“It is a cult. There is no rhyme or reason to fandom. It’s become part of pop culture. These people,” he said, gesturing to the clots of people picking their way through the graveyard, “they relate to it. It’s far beyond a movie.”
Indeed. Wlodarczyk of Jefferson Hills was misty-eyed as she recalled allowing her daughter,Chelsea, watch “Night of the Living Dead” when she was 12 years old — the same age as Ms. Wlodarczyk whenshe had seen it first.
Ms. Wlodarczyk, 56, recalled that her daughter, now 27 and living in Mount Pleasant, “got it” in the same way that Chris had gotten it.
“We noticed the same things. We asked the same questions,” she said. “It was a bonding moment between mother and daughter.”
She said she and her daughter continue to share their love of horror movies.
“It’s still a connection,” Chris Wlodarczyk said.
She said Mr. Romero and his film artistry did more than stir a cultural phenomenon and create a film legacy; she said a community was created among his fans.
“It is the absolute sense of family that we feel,” she said. “It can’t be explained.”