Charles David Mestre

Charlie was born in Waukesha, WI on January 31, 1967. In 1975, he moved with his parents, sister Maria, and bother Jorge to Miami, FL.

Charlie loved the outdoors. Inheriting his father, Jorge’s, caramel complexion somehow made sunscreen unneeded for Charlie. Florida was a great fit as he was able to go fishing year-round—patiently casting and miraculously (without bait) pulling in the day’s catch off a dock. He appreciated the natural world and was a fearless embracer of slimy, crawly, and slithery creatures the same way others fascinate over furry ones. He had a divine gift of a green thumb. He was able to toss an avocado or mango seed into a hole in the ground—without germinating it—to produce a fruit-bearing tree.

Charlie was early on classified as learning disabled. Thanks to the love, devotion, and attention of his mother, Rosemarie, Charlie was given the focused instruction he needed at schools in Florida and Massachusetts.

Many times his mom would worry for his safety as he would spend all day away from home exploring nature, yet Charlie always returned by sunset unscathed. She believed he had a guardian angel. But his mom was his true anchor. She placed Charlie on a path to independence with his own Palm Beach-area apartment and a life coach while making 4-hour round-trip drives from Miami many weekends to check in on him.

After the untimely death of his mom in May 2000, Charlie spent his remaining years in the Palm Beach area. Charlie was independent-minded. The entrepreneurial spirit in him inspired creative jobs like joyfully selling helium balloons. His honest, trusting, and gregarious nature helped him befriend many neighbors, occasionally being entrusted to watch over their pets.

Another important role was as “Uncle Charlie” to his nieces, Cecelia and Julia.

Charlie had his brother Jorge by his side as he died from health complications. Soon thereafter, led by his guardian angel, Charlie was escorted to be with his mother again.

A gathering of remembrance will be held on Sunday, June 28, from 1pm to 3pm at Quattlebaum Funeral Home / 5411 Okeechobee Blvd. / West Palm Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Center For Learning Disabilities.