Mr. Carlos Charlie E. Padin

Born, Carlos Esteban Padin, on December 17, 1944 in Isabela, Puerto Rico to Maria Lamboy and Esteban Padin. Lovingly know as Charlie," Chachiro", Daddy, Grandpa and Pipa, departed to be with the Lord on August 20,2010.

Charlie is survived by his mother, brothers, sister, children, grand-children, great-grand children and wife Gigi.

Charlie loved fishing, boating, gardening, shooting pool, coin collecting, but his love for re-modeling his homes, restoring furniture and wood finishing was his passion. He was called "The Legend" by his co-workers, employees, clients, friends and family. Understandably so, for God had gifted him with so great a talent, that he was called in to restore the famous Piano of Puerto Rico."The Legend" the quiet man, "a good man" respected by many, loved by all. He was a joker, most around his family saying to the kids "hey you guys" me voy pa' Catano....meaning he was leaving for a town in Puerto Rico and the little ones believed him.......or when company came, he'd look at Gigi, and to tease her he would say, "I have not eaten in three day", as if true to push her button.

He was a perfectionist, and proof is the tile floor he put throughout the entire house on his own. Re-arranging, knocking walls down was nothing for him, and replacing them with wooden french doors, as ones to our office, "no problem" as he would say. Carving our dining room chairs was amazing for me, Gigi, to watch him do. He build our cement shed for the well, floor beds around the pool area, and other cement projects as if nothing. His gardening gave many, many, many people the pleasure of enjoying the citrus fruits he grew. He once had a beautiful banana field that when seen for a distance looked as you were on the Island of Puerto Rico. Charlie was amazing with his projects, Charlie was "The Legend".

Charlie was also a member of the Moose Lodge for many years in good standing and most respected. His friends there thought highly of him and expressed how he would be missed.

A man of few words, but of strong love. Quiet.....but in his silence spoke it all. Never said, I love You, it was always We love You....and when I would ask.....it was always the same answer .....me, myself and I....much love.

Charlie had had his first open heart surgery to replace his valves 25 years ago. He suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage, which left him with a speech impairment. Another heart valve replacement 18 years ago and yet another 2 1/2 years ago, yet he never really complained, just recovered and could go on as if nothing had happened. He'd say in spanish "aqui no ha pasado nada, estoy bien y mejorando" (English: nothing has happened, I'm fine and getting better).

The Lord blessed Charlie, healing him time and time again with his health issues. God blessed him with exceptional Doctors and medical people who loved and took care of him. Blessed back in Puerto Rico he made medical history, having artificial valves placed in his heart and then having to replace one of them with another artificial one. Blessed with wonderful parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and topped the blessings with great-grandchildren. Blessed with lifelong friends and new ones.

And now a letter to the man I love:

Charlie, we met 25 years ago, and from our first meeting we knew it was you and me. We have loved each other through the storms and through the beauty of sunrises. The ups and downs of our lives, our love has seen us through it all. Throughout the sick times and the healthy times, love kept us side by side. You, my love, held me strong when I needed your strength. I heard your heart beat with new valves in it, with the old ones, with the heartbeat of your love for me and then I heard your last heartbeat as you parted, to go home to be with the Lord. For very star I see, it is an I love you, from you to me. How sad it was for us to say good-bye, when we loved one another. How sad it will be without you.....just....just without you. Like when the seas roll back.....the flowers fade.....everything is now gray. I don't know what life will be like without you. Everything looks sad without you. Right now I am savoring my pain thinking of you. I do not ask for pity nor compassion, for the Lord is with me and you are too. If I talked much about you when you lived, I will talk even more about you that you’re gone, because doing so will help me live. Our love will be in my heart always. You’re gone physically, but your love remains, forever and ever, until we meet again. Your friend, your companion, your wife....but most, your love forever.

Gigi