SAD NEWS FROM NYC

Ferdi and I just received a very bad news from one of our family in NY.
When I moved to NY in 2000, I had a team of young people working with me (Ty-Ty, Justin, Jorge and Philippe) Philippe was my FIRST WORKER. He came with me every friday visit the kids and their families. Today we heard that he passed away this morning, Sunday March 22, 2009.

This athlete and handsome young man died from a heart attack. Some of you may remember his mother Lolita or maybe his little brother Leshone who also became my worker. Ferdi and I grew very close to this family... During our last month in NY we spend specially some good time with Philippe and his family. Ferdi got to go to a KNICKS basketball game with him (prime seats) and together we celebrated the new year 08 in his mothers house.
Right now we are in France, and our heart and head are full of good remembrances about Philippe... How he constantly corrected my broken English, how he was a fan of basketball, how he was an handsome young man with a big heart but didn't know how to communicate it, how he silently showed his love toward us.
Every time I would drop-off his brother Leshone and Philippe was around he would come and sit in my van and chat for few minutes... During our last week in NY, he had Maelle on his lap for a while, just smiling at her. Man we already miss him and would love to fly to NY right at this moment. Phillipe was about to turn 19 years old in September this year even though for 5 years he was 17 years old :-). After being transferred to a very good school Philippe was also on his way to college, playing basketball.
His dad also died from an heart attack when Philippe and Leshone were younger.

Please keep his family (Lolita and Leshone) in your prayers.

Phillipe - you are missed here on this side of Heaven...
Until we meet again, one day...

2008 New Years Party at Phillipes house

2007 - Tatiana and Leshone at the mall.

2007 - Lolita and Maelle

2005 - Phillipe at Teen Boys camp