Sad update..
Earlier in the week, I posted requesting that you wonderful people keep my friend,
Charlie, in your thoughts as he fought Covid. Sadly, last night, Covid won, and one of the beautiful souls of the world died. On top of Covid pneumonia, his body rejected his transplanted kidney. Nothing more could be done.
I knew Charlie through music, but there was much I didn’t know about him and am now learning as tributes pour in. Here’s what I do know. Charlie received a kidney transplant two years ago and became a transplant mentor to others. He was a social worker. In preparation for the kidney transplant, he lost over 200 pounds, had heart surgery, and had one leg amputated below the knee because of an infection that would not heal. Like a true son of The Bronx, his prosthesis was decorated with New York Yankees emblems, a fact that spurred a lot of teasing and good-natured arguing with those of us who hate the Yankees. He was a pillar of his small West Virginia community and a mainstay in the larger West Virginia arts scene with The Carpenter Ants and other groups. He was Muslim, his wife is Jewish, and his children identify specifically as “liberal Christian”. He never met a stranger, and everyone he met became part of his huge blended family.
What I didn’t know is that his interest in good nutrition and diet that had helped him lose 200 pounds and become healthy enough for a transplant turned into a passion for food and cooking. He was remodeling his kitchen and was going to go to culinary school after the holidays.
I don’t claim to know or understand where our souls go when we die, but wherever it is, it became a much happier and brighter place last night when Charlie Tee arrived.
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= new reply since forum marked as read
You could be a lyricist for him - so eloquent.
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Charlie is singing with the angels now.
Charlie had character, strength, talent and love to give which is so rare and special.
Someone to know.
May he cross gently & rest in power & music.
