A Customer/Friend Of Mine, Is In Hospice. Could Use A Prayer. (Sadly Updated)

[twyacht]

Ever since I started at my Florida Marine Elec. job, 3 years ago, I was sent to the M/Y Faith, owned by a dear customer and friend Fred C.

He is an older gent, Marine Corps Vet, Father, Grandfather, and Christian. He has never been in great health, but always found humor, especially with his beloved 70' yacht Faith An older Flemming trawler, with beautiful woodwork, and well cared for.

Fred's boat is moored behind his small home here in Pompano Beach, and he was in too much pain to set it up for his family to come down and stay onboard. He called and I met him on his patio, last week, and did as he requested. 99% was not electrical in nature, or repair.

He went to the hospital the next day, and came home today. His daughter, said that he is now going to receive Home Hospice Care. His condition is terminal.  She than asked me to come back to the boat, (it's on my way home), and just look at "everything", since Fred's family will be extending their stay, and wanted to make sure "everything" on the boat is OK.

He is now at home, bed-ridden, and sadly does not have much time. It's that bad. He can see his "Faith" from his window, and waved at me as I left, and pointed at his boat. He now has a tube, and other things that make him unable to speak.

I gave him a thumbs up, signaling all is well, and waved back. He smiled and waved again. I have to go back next week and change three indicator bulbs, on his distribution panel that burned out. I am not sure if he will still be alive or not.

 Whenever I serviced something, he was right there and we would talk about everything. Boats, children, food, his time in Korea, damn politicians, guns, gardening, literally everything. I know he wished he was well enough to do these repairs/upgrades himself, but enjoyed having me on the boat. I know the boat as well as he does, and I think that made him comfortable.

He reminds me of my Grandfather, and I am asking for a prayer for him to find his way home peacefully.

Sorry for the long post. He is a great guy, and I am going to miss him.

Thank you DRTV, every bit helps.

Tom W.

*******

Fred Joseph Castonguay passed away peacefully at home in Pompano Beach, FL, on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Fred is survived by his wife Bonnie Castonguay, children Allison Thorp (Arthur), Stephanie Moncrief (Bobby), Rebecca Dawson (Paul), Fred M. Castonguay (Carla), and grandchildren Bobby, Logan, Erin, William, Noah & Daisy. He also leaves behind a sister, Mary-Lace Williams. He served our country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps. There will be a private service for the family. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice Care of Southeast Florida.

Published in Sun-Sentinel on Feb. 27, 2011

RIP Fred. I enjoyed our conversations, and thank you for the final "wave and thumbs up" regarding your beloved boat "Faith".

Fair winds..and God Bless.

[Timothy]

God Bless him and keep him comfortable.

My sympathies to you Tom.

I've some experience with Hospice and they were a Godsend to my father in law and his daughters in his last days.  He's where he wants to be.  You're a good friend....

[ellis4538]

Hospice is great and so are the people.  Difficult job at best because many of them have been there also.  My best to your friend and his family and to you because you care.

God Bless,

Richard

[fullautovalmet76]

Done.....

[MikeBjerum]

The joy you are giving him by caring for his Faith tells him you care.  Hopefully his dream of his family enjoying it will add to his story.

Prayers for all!

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

Hospice workers are a rare breed...and it sounds like your friend was too.

Praying for strength and comfort through a difficult time for him, the family, and to you for being a caring friend.