Charles Timothy Hillsinger

Charles is survived by his daughter, Paris Laurel Rose Hillsinger, and his wife, Priscilla Ashley Hillsinger. Beloved Son, Brother, Father, Husband, and friend to all who met him.

I know it’s Sunday only because the phone says Sunday.

Last night, I put Mary and Diane on speakerphone, and they told Charlie stories from North Carolina. Story after story about how the smallest acts changed their lives forever.

Diane said it perfectly:

“Total acts of kindness, wanting nothing in return.” – is how I would describe Charles.

Every person from his past and present seemed to start their stories of Charlie the same way.

The act itself was often small. Maybe even unnoticed by others. But somehow it was exactly what they needed at that moment. Like an angel sent to answer a prayer.

That was Charlie.

Acts of kindness. Always giving with the purest heart. Always helping a stranger who then became his friend.

He taught each of us that everyone is born inherently good. That taking the leap to simply be kind or helpful breathes more goodness into a world that can be very dark sometimes.

Charlie was light, and it was contagious.

It was impossible not to shine once you met him.

In the beginning, I thought he saw the world through rose-colored glasses. But the more time I spent with him, the more I realized he wasn’t wearing glasses at all.

He saw the world for what it was: real and beautiful.

It was I who wore the darkest glasses of all.

Since I’ve known Charlie, I have met thousands of people, and every one of them was kind. Kindness begets kindness. Love and honey bring life and joy into this fast-paced world.

People deserve second and third chances. They deserve not to be judged, even when you know their story.

Every soul is special and unique, and you only recognize that when you slow down long enough to talk with them.

Charlie always said, “I appreciate you.”

Not “thanks” or a passing “thank you.”

A full pause. A handshake. Eye contact.

“I appreciate you.”

To everyone.

Especially those who were “just doing their job.”

Charlie lit up every room and every life without ever knowing it.

He could heal the deepest wounds with his patience and love.

Everything he did, he did with passion. Whether he was cooking, skiing, or guiding tourists through the mountains, he slowly built people’s confidence until they believed they could do it on their own.

He breathed life into everything he touched, from flora to fauna.

You couldn’t help but smile when you were around Charlie.

Even on his darkest days, the light in his spirit shone through. His strength shone through.

It shone through until the very end.

Every friend and family member eventually ended our conversations the same way: by telling me how much better their life was because Charlie had been in it, even if only for a moment.

He brought strangers together.

He brought neighbors together who didn’t get along.

He brought the fun.

Meanness seemed to roll right off him because he always said:

“You never know what’s going on in their life. But I bet if you ask, you could help carry that burden.”

Charlie had the patience to peel any onion.

Whether we are talking about a literal onion while he poured love into one of his amazing meals, or a person with a hundred thousand layers.

Every person was worth any amount of time to Charlie.

He was the light and love I prayed every morning to become.

If Charlie touched your life, even for a moment, then you now carry some of that light and love within you.

You have it for the rest of your life.

Use it.

Pay it forward as he would.

Help make this world as beautiful as Charlie always saw it, no matter what loss or darkness he witnessed in his own life.

Charlie fought cancer with a bravery that is only learned when no one else is looking.

He fought with grace, kindness, gratitude, faith, and love.

Cancer may have beaten his body, but it never beat his spirit.

Not once.

Not even in his final days.

The warmth, light, and love that defined him never left.

He stayed himself until the very end, making sure everyone he loved would be okay, would be safe, would be cared for, and would find the courage to continue—not merely survive, not merely endure, but truly live.

May his soul rest in peace, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

A private celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 20th from 4:00 until 6:00 PM.  All are invited to join the fully immersive service via zoom at https://zoom.us/j/97678300731pwd=WLLBd6RP6HXRf5IWS8AfMuMYfHbfSn.1