Charlie Daniel Cusell

Loved by all he touched, Charlies transition into the other side has left behind a deep wound that his family will forever work to heal.

Raised in a dynamic family group with his Grand Parents, Luisa and Enrique Cusell and his father, Johnny Cusell. Charlie had the love, adoration and attention bestowed upon him in abundance.

Generous in their adoration:

Luisa and Enrique felt they had a second chance at raising a child without the burdens that face all young couples when they start a family. Absent were the stressors of work, finance, deadlines, endless laundry and disheveled home. Luisa, who spent many years raising her own large family felt alone when her children moved away to start their own lives. The quietness and stillness of her home, that was once a very small house, now seemed so large and empty.

Bygone were the days of children running in and out the front door. And her shouting “Close the front door”. Home cooked meals would be found simmering on the stove, no matter what time of day. Made just in case someone came in for a visit, there would be a feast to offer and conversation (or gossip) to discuss. Luisa, a woman truly fitting the Salt of the Earth persona.

Enrique, a large tough man. A man that had seen too much and struggled so much in his life time. Himself losing both his parents at an early age and raised by his grandmother. Enrique had raised a brood of children facing unimaginable difficulty, and in that – he was a provider of food and shelter more than a father. Charlie’s entrance into this world gave Enrique another chance at knowing, feeling, experiencing what it was to be an affectionate, loving father. And this he did well.

Johnny, at first excited and yet frightened at the responsibility of caring for a newborn alone, came to realize his only hope was to go home; to the home where his now older parents had raised him and his siblings, the home where he remembered hardships and laughter, but always felt the welcoming embrace by his family inside. Entering the home for one eclipsing moment in time that would change the course of many lives from this point on. Clutched to his chest a tiny bundle of warmth and a shock of black hair, and the wonderful scent of clean newborn baby.

To Luisa, it was love at first sight. The little bundle was immediately greeted with all the motherly love and warmth she was known to bestow quite freely to anyone in need. And here was Charlie, a new little being; in need of all the love offered to begin his life with a good heart.

To Enrique, the little bundle brought with him a foreign and unknown feeling in the center of his chest. The day Charlie’s little baby hand wrapped around Enrique’s pinky finger in a firm grip, refusing to release the calloused finger from his tender baby grip, it was his life line. One soul greeting a soul-mate, as if to say “hey, here I am buddy! I missed you, sorry I was a little delayed in my arrival, but here I am!” That was the day Enrique’s heart recalled the stirrings of a fathers’ love- Enrique’s acquiescent was immediate and profound. A loyalty and bond that was made long ago, before this lifetime, was reintroduced.

In this, all of Charlies Aunts, Uncles and cousins could attest to- Enrique was smitten with the little boy and together with Luisa and Johnny- Charlie was introduced into the loving arms of a large family that loved, argued, laughed, cried, shared, supported, defended. A family whose tree extended like so many branches of an ancient mighty oak. There were 2nd and 3rd cousins, and every other family member in between that integrated during large family functions.

If one were to eavesdrop on conversations during a family gathering you would hear the older generation reminisce about the old days in Cuba and close by, the children and grandchildren would forge new memories and new relationships, and continue the cycle of life on this Earth.

Part 2

And so began Charlies life…from this point on, the words you read will be directly from those that had their own personal memories of their relationship with Charlie. It was written in this manner for the simple reason that his son’s and their descendants will find some answers and comfort in these words

Obituary:

A tough guy with a heart of gold, Charlie Daniel Cusell was born on November 30, 1986 and was re-born on April 3, 2016.

Charlie leaves behind is two beautiful boys, Charlie Jr. and Anthony, their mother Jessica Hernandez, Charlies Father Johnny Cusell, Grandmother Maria Luisa "Mami" Cusell, and the Cusell Clan and the Lopez Clan of Lake Worth and West Palm Beach, as well as many friends and family member, and his birth mother Diana Rodriquez Lopez.

He spent a good portion of his adult life in some physical activity. He was an avid Miami Dolphins fan and played a short stint in stadium football in 2010 until a serious injury caused his withdrawal from playing the sport he loved so much. Charlie loved to take his two boys and girlfriend to many of the theme parks in Central Florida, Chuck E Cheese, Metro Zoo, Lion Country Safari. Charlie was a family oriented man, devoted to his children and his children's mother.

Charlie was predeceased by his Grandfather Enrique Juan de Dios Cusell and his uncle Enrique 'Henry" Cusell Jr.