CHARLES "CHARLIE" M. BITHORN, Sr.

Charles Bithorn of Sun City Center, Florida, formally of Cedarhurst, New York passed away on August 2nd, 2024, to join his wife Marie Bithorn who had passed away only 100 days earlier. Both now are in the presence of the Lord. Charlie was the youngest of five, having been born and raised in Puerto Rico only to come to New York, where he married, and with Marie at his side, successfully raised a family of four children, Susan, Charles, Jr., Joseph, and Edward. He had many adoring grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends far and wide. Below is a tribute that was given at Charlie‘s funeral mass by his youngest son Edward.

WORDS OF REMEMBERANCE ABOUT CHARLIE BITHORN 

BY HIS SON EDWARD

What do you say when you are faced with the task of memorializing someone who has meant the world to you in all of his nearly 93 years, when you only have five minutes to do so? That is a question that can only be answered by stating the obvious, it’s an impossible task. Nevertheless, in rapid fire succession, I want to mention some of the extraordinary traits that were exemplified by my father Charlie Bithorn. 

To state the obvious, Dad was an incredible artist, a gifted musician, a kind and compassionate human being, and a devoted husband who was incapable of existing on this planet without the woman who was right there always by his side - - my mother Marie. Sadly, Mom passed away only 106 days ago. Dad was in a hurry to get to her side.

Now when you think of the world’s great loves, there was Marc Anthony & Cleopatra, Napoleon & Josephine, John & Yoko, and there was Charlie & Marie. For more than 70 years, they loved each other like no other couple ever could. Don’t get me wrong, they found enough time to drive each other, and certainly their kids a bit crazy as well - - but the love they had was pure. I can unequivocally say, they gave their four children a happy, nearly normal childhood. Seriously though, they were truly wonderful parents. 

But before Dad got a crack at being a great father, he was just a kid who was born into a family with four other dominant siblings. Dad was the youngest of the brood (something we both had in common). It didn’t take long for him to find his calling. You see Dad was a child prodigy who God had blessed with incredible talent, in that he drew, painted, & was recognized for doing so at the ripe young age of nine. 

His artwork was displayed in art exhibitions and for obvious reasons, he moved through the ranks, displaying this incredible talent. After coming from Puerto Rico to New York City, his talent brought him to the renowned Music & Arts High School in Manhattan. There, he graduated with honors & distinction. 

As life would have it, a twist of fate introduced him to our mom Marie and from that Moment on they were inseparable. The only exception was when he went to serve our country by enlisting in the Army. Yet even then, Mom & Dad found their way to stay together. Following Dad being honorably discharged, he continued his career as an artist. 

Now as an artist my Dad had this unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects in his paintings. As anyone who has seen his portraits can attest to, when you look at the eyes of the subject in the painting, it is as if the individual’s soul has come forward. Dad would somehow channel the spirit of that person and put it all on canvas. 

Dad painted portraits for anyone who would ask, and he did this countless times for those who never asked at all. Now you never want to be so presumptuous to think that when someone gets to the Gates of Heaven, they open widely without thought or consideration - - but in my Dad‘s case I just can’t see it any other way. Pops knew how to hedge his bets - - what do I mean by this - - well, he painted Priests, Nuns, Deacons, & Bishops. He painted Popes, he painted Saints - - in fact, he would even paint the statues of those Saints. 

In fact, as you walked into this Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, two of his paintings greet you at the door. Likewise, if you were ever at the Vatican in Rome, one of his paintings could be found there as well - - so when I say the doors of Heaven will open widely, it’s because Dad has one heck of a credit line that’s already been established. But Dad loved the Church & he loved God. He was a wonderfully religious man & instilled that into his family. 

We were blessed - - and anyone who knew my Dad was also blessed to see his charitable nature on display. The vast majority of his artwork was donated, or if he did charge anything, it was barely enough to pay for the paint & the canvas. 

Turning now to the other significant part of my father’s being - - his love of music was something that all his kids got to experience. If there was a song playing within hearing range, you could count on Dad to harmonize no matter if he knew the words or not - - he harmonized with instruments, he harmonized with anything. He insisted that his kids be able to harmonize. That’s because, once again, God handed him unlimited talent. 

He sang, he played guitar, & he loved the spotlight. All these traits, he handed off to his four children, some of whom wanted the spotlight more than the others. But it was Dad’s love, knowledge & understanding of music that steered my brothers Chuck and Joe into achieving successful careers in the music industry. My sister Susie and I, as the bookends amongst the four siblings, were given the same genes & have musical talent, but our career paths went in a different direction. 

Regardless, I can unequivocally state that the joy that allows us to feel & experience the music we listen to, and that passion that exists in hearing a wonderful piece of music, comes directly from our Dad. His musical taste ran from classical music to Jazz to Latin, to Country, Big Band, and R&B. He was Mr. Eclectic when it came to his musical taste. 

Always the entertainer, besides performing on grand stages he played anywhere that needed uplifting. I remember a story that goes back about 8-9 years ago when Dad was a spry 85 yrs old. I called him and we were talking and I could tell he was trying to get off the phone fast. Now that’s not typical for my Pops - - so I ask him, “Hey Dad, why are you giving me the bum’s rush” – and he says, “Me and your Mom have a gig - - we’re playing at the home for the “old people” - - so I wait a couple of seconds and I say, “Dad, you are old people”, to which he says, “Ah the heck with you” and click, he hangs up the phone!!  - - - I just love that memory.

Even better though, I was reminded of a story by one of his granddaughters, my daughter Melissa, about how one of Dad‘s favorite audiences was when he would pick up his guitar & play for all the grandchildren & their friends. He would get them all to sit around him & he would play children’s songs - - but he would do so in an interactive way so they would all join in & be a part of this grand production. This is how he would plant that musical seed; this is how he would share his gift. 

Of course, Dad’s best musical partner was his life partner, our Mom Marie. They were the Puerto Rican version of Sonny & Cher. They loved to perform. Their duets were something we will all miss, along with their phone calls every birthday to sing happy birthday in two-part harmony. 

So while i know that this impossible task that I was assigned - - to say a few words about my Dad in only five minutes time - - has put me over the time limit, I just hope some of Dad‘s charitable philanthropic work done for the Church, has granted me some clemency and some additional time. 

Pops, we love you so much & we will miss you beautiful bright smile & your wonderful laugh. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being an amazing father - - your hugs were the best & your kisses so sweet. Please take good care of Mom because we know she’ll be taking good care of you - - you are now together again, as a completed perfect circle. 

We will see you again and when we get there, we will hear you whistling our family whistle. 

Love you, Pops, 

Eddie