Editor
There is a story to be told about “Man Dies in Fountain Park”. It’s a sad, but true story. Charles H. Hawkins, “Buddy,” as his family knew him, was a troubled man with many regrets that led him to a life of demons. His past occupations consisted of farm laborer and caretaker in Rock Hall, Md. He left Rock Hall to live in Pennsylvania. As a resident in Pennsylvania he worked as a printing press operator, construction worker, carpenter and security officer. When he left Pennsylvania, he worked as the Sexton for Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Easton, MD. He was so honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Sexton of Trinity Catholic Church. He volunteered his services for the church on various charities. We remember him reciting verses from the Bible and we had many conversations of how well he was doing in turning his life around. We were so proud of him and he was proud to have beaten his disease for the past two years.
Then, on one sad day, we received a phone call from Buddy. He had fallen into the darkness of the demon. When asked why he had started drinking again after being clean for two years he replied “It helps to kill the pain of my regrets and the mistakes I have made in the past.” We regret not knowing what happened to cause the demon to take over his life. He drifted from town to town residing with various family members and when our family would not enable him to support his addiction, he would pack up and leave once again. His family offered him food, clothing and homes to reside in but he chose to live on the street where he could receive benefits from the Government, which in turn would feed his demons.
He entered three rehab programs during the past two years and when released, he continued to let the demons control his life. While in rehab, we found comfort in knowing that he was in a place where he would receive food and a place to sleep at night off the streets.
He was not only a homeless man, but a human being with a loving, caring family who regret not being able to cure his addiction. He suffered various health problems brought on by his addiction. Buddy was a very charismatic and friendly man. He made friends easily and would do anything for anybody.
Unfortunately, addiction is a problem in this world today. As I was reminded during this past week by a friend who stated, “There are children dying to live and adults living to die.” This is a very true statement of today’s world—all the children suffering with cancer, which is beyond their control, and the adults suffering from alcohol and drug addiction which was a choice they made.
We’d like to remember Buddy not as a “homeless man” but as a caring, loving brother, uncle, son, father and grandfather who suffered for too long. We will live the rest of our lives with the regret that we could not save him.
As a family, we would like to remember “Buddy” during the good years of his life and not the tragic end he endured. May you RIP Buddy and be reunited in the arms of your mother and grandparents.
Pat Grussing
Carolyn Stoebner
Charles T. Hawkins
Stephan Sonn says
Some people never get it right no matter how they try. And we know that love cannot overcome everything.
If Buddy found a better place it is only right that his living family too, in doing the very best they could,
is eased from their pain. He was loved most genuinely, in the only way that he could be in this world.
Beth Everett says
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our prayers at St. Luke’s Episcopal in Church Hill.
Jack Bigelow says
Editor,
Unfortunately, we as the friends, and in your case family, can not save someone who does not choose to help them self. We can’t make them do something they don’t want to do, as hard that sounds. We shouldn’t blame yourself. Try to find comfort in knowing that Buddy is not suffering and in the hands of God.
Steve Payne says
Editor,
I basically agree with what you said Jack but for one point. From what I have read here and other places, Mr. Hawkins had some mental issues on top of the alcohol problem. People with mental illness can’t always make, or be expected to make, good choices for themselves. Some type of intervention is usually required. That can be extremely difficult, all people can do is keep trying.
Keith Thompson says
Editor,
While an intervention may be necessary to either save a person’s life or to help them make proper choices, does carrying this out equate to a violation of one’s civil liberties? If we recognize that the government has the power to intervene in cases of mental illness, does that extend to making sure that people also eat healthy or exercise? I really don’t know the answer, but I think that the death of Mr. Hawkins leads us to ask these questions which is valuable.
Steve Payne says
Editor,
I’m not talking about a government intervention of any kind. Often family and/or friends do it and there’s even private companies that specialize in assisting. The government has really gotten away from that sort of thing unless a crime is involved and large institutional facilities have almost disappeared (except for prisons, jails, and hospitals).
Jo Manning says
This is a wonderful honest letter from the family. I, too, am a member of this family and I, too, have lost a child to the demons of alcohol and drug abuse. There is nothing sadder and harder to live with as a family member than to watch the fall of a loved one. You do all you can to help them and take a lot of abuse as the disease or diseases take control; but still you love them. We as a family will stand together to honor Buddy and to share the love we had for him. He was a wonderful person!