Celebrate Charles Whitfield's Legacy and Life

Today, I experienced the loss of my dad. My beloved father, Charles Anthony Whitfield, passed away at the age of 88. This has reminded me of the preciousness of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. His unwavering support, kindness, and strength have significantly impacted my life. As he joins the celestial realm, I pray that he continues to radiate love and guidance from above. While imperfect, he possessed unique talents and skills that many will never forget.

As his daughter, I am raising funds to support planning a funeral, memorial, and celebration honoring his legacy and life experiences. Eventually, I want to establish a scholarship foundation to honor his community service and educational leadership. His life experience sheds light on the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the cycle of victimization caused by elderly abuse.

My dad was a retired New York City Educator (NYCDOE), a United States Army veteran, and a valued service member of the Peace Corps. He shared his expertise as an instructor of automotive science with national and global communities. Although he lacked formal education, he was an expert in automotive science. He was regarded as a dynamic instructor at Lincoln Technical Institute in Union, New Jersey. In New York City, he served as a vocational instructor of automotive science and a supervisor of adult education at the Brooklyn, Armory.

In the 1970s, while traveling to the Cameroons in Africa, he contracted malaria, which left him with debilitating neurological symptoms for the rest of his life. In the 1980s, many medical professionals linked his physical decline to a disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a Motor Neuron Disease, which is a group of neurological disorders. As his neurological functions consistently declined over the years, he lost the use of his limbs and eventually became bedridden. Additionally, in the 1990s, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and struggled to regain a physically healthy lifestyle.

As a 100% disabled veteran, he faced consistent challenges due to the lack of adequate healthcare. Despite being a home-based care patient provided by the Veterans Administration (VA) services, he did not receive 24-hour care, leaving him vulnerable. Although he preferred to remain at home, it became apparent that the VA nursing home facility would be the best option for receiving the 24-hour healthcare he desperately needed. However, by the time he agreed to these care services, his physical health had deteriorated significantly, and he did not recover.

Many friends, family, students, and colleagues admired my Dad. He leaves behind numerous grandchildren, children, and an estranged wife. Please help us bury him with dignity and pride. He served communities worldwide and was characterized by courage, perseverance, and resilience. I hope that he will be forever remembered as a survivor against all odds. Thank you so much for your attention and participation. Your support is greatly appreciated.