Life of Montecito resident Peter Fleurat celebrated

Family and friends celebrated the life of Peter Fleurat, one of the victims who perished in the Montecito mudslides.

People gathered at the Moose Lodge on Victoria Street on Saturday.

Those closest to him said Fleurat was an adventure seeker and lover of life.

Fleurat’s partner of 17 years, Ralph “Lalo” Barajas said when the two met, “He got under my skin and I never left.”

Barajas said Fleurat was someone everyone wanted to be around, including children.

Barajas still can’t believe his partner did not survive the Jan. 9 mudflow that tore through their home.

“The reel plays in my head all of the time,” he said.

Barajas vividly remembers Fleurat’s last words to him before he was swept away.

Fleuret screamed out, “Hold on to something and don’t let go!”

“That was the last thing my partner said to do and that’s what I did,” Barajas said.

Barajas said he doesn’t know why he was the lucky one.

But, he plans to honor his late partner the best say he can–by living life to the fullest.

“I’m very fortunate, lucky I have a second chance to live life,” Barajas said. “So that’s what I’m going to do.”