Tribute for deaf people who passed away from coronavirus: PART 2

RENCA DUNN: 

On Monday, we showed three videos for our tribute to honor those who have passed away from the coronavirus. Today is part two. We will show three videos. 

Bernice (Schurman) Farr, 83, August 2, 1936 to April 11, 2020 

Charles Farr (Son): 

Hello, I’m here to remember my mother, Bernice Farr. I’m standing in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn. That’s where my mother was born and died, in Brooklyn. She died at 83 years of age and all of her life was in Brooklyn. She was well known for her athleticism, for being mischievous, and as a community leader. She was a leader in both the deaf and hearing worlds. My mother interacted with hearing communities because she believed in building hearing allies so they could support the deaf community. My mother was popular in both worlds. Whenever we went in the subway, others would be thrilled to see my mother and invite her to sit with them to chat. My mother is hard of hearing so she could use her voice to speak. It was really amazing. I’m sure that my mother, who is now above, wants to bring all of her legacy to all of you to keep on supporting the Deaf community. I love you all. 

Richard Coppola, 80, April 24, 1940 to April 25, 2020

Amy Coppola (Wife of 52 years)

He was in a nursing for almost a year. He was doing fine, but in March, he got the coronavirus. In April, he was very sick for two weeks and struggled in a hospice. Nurses monitored him. I couldn’t visit because of the coronavirus. I could see him through FaceTime. It really touched me because a person who has Covid-19 really looks terrible. I feel so badly for how he struggled. He refused to eat or drink for two weeks and his health declined. He died the day after his 80th birthday. I knew him and was with him for 58 years. I still miss him. I have his cremated remains with me up there in a box and I’m waiting until there can be a memorial service, when the coronavirus goes away, so we can be with family and friends. I first met him in at a school in Buffalo, New York. I was a newbie at that time and I met him through a friend. We then dated. We had great chemistry. I was with him ever since school. He made me laugh. He always laughed all the time. We traveled a lot. He loved his family and friends and sports. He attended a deaf club and helped with fundraising and sports, and many other things. He loved doing that. 

[Sponsored Video from Convo: https://bit.ly/2RyMogR] 

Donald Dusenbury, 76, May 11, 1943 to May 7, 2020

Delila Dusenbury (Niece): 

I miss him and I’m shocked he got the coronavirus. He was excited to go to the Columbus Colony Elderly Care to be with his younger brother, Gilbert. Gilbert didn’t know about this. Donald was in quarantine for a week and then met Gilbert, who was thrilled to see his brother as it was a surprise. He was there because his health was declining. My aunt is old and can’t take care of him, so he wanted to go to the CCEC and was excited about it, but he got the coronavirus. It’s what happened, but I’m grateful to the CCEC for helping him and providing support to my uncle until he passed away. It’s sad and unexpected that he is gone. 

He was someone who always laughed. He was shy. He lived with his mother for many years. My father, who was Donald’s brother, took him to Florida and introduced him to others. He played Dingo. Donald enjoyed interacting but he preferred to stay home and play games. He liked to work on wood projects and crafts. He joined the local LICO to learn and work and interact with others. He enjoyed working there for three years. He did babysit me when I was little and gave me popcorn and let us watch movies. We were so happy to watch and eat popcorn. He liked to ride on the swings outside with his younger brother. My father’s brother was Donald and he is Deaf. Gilbert is Deaf too. My father’s name is Louis Dusenbury and he had the two Deaf brothers, and all the other siblings are hearing. There were 14 siblings in total, and then there was 11, and now there’s four who are still alive. 

RENCA DUNN: 

Thank you for sharing. Our thoughts are with you who lost someone. This Friday we will show the final part of this tribute series.

Richard Coppola obituary: https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/obituary-coronavirus-complications-richard-coppola-postal-worker-elvis-presley-fan-loved-travel-deaf-community-20200503.html