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BORN
1964
DIED
2024
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Charles Whitaker Obituary
Dr. Charles Hughston Whitaker, Jr., 59, passed away on August 20th at Middlesex Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. He died of complications from an aggressive gastric cancer diagnosed 5 months ago. He was born in Monroe, Louisiana and had a wonderful childhood where playing football, painting, and learning guitar were favorite pastimes. He attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe and then Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He did his residency and fellowship training at LSU, UAB, Yale, and UConn before becoming a neuromuscular neurologist at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. He has practiced medicine for the past thirty years. His sincere devotion to his patients was extraordinary. He will be truly missed.
Charles's free time was spent playing lots of music - he had a garage band where he sang and played guitar. He also loved playing trumpet with the Middletown Symphonic Band.
Charles was also a terrific artist and produced some excellent pieces that grace both his office at HSC and his wife's office in Middletown.
Charles attended services regularly at the United Churches of Durham - where he sang in the choir and was a deacon.
Charles is especially proud of his two beautiful daughters - both of whom followed him into medicine. Caroline is a podiatrist and practices in Springfield, MA. Elizabeth is in her last year of medical school at the University of New England and plans to become a neurologist.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Allison Whitaker, his daughters Caroline (Mac Megahan), and Elizabeth, his mother, Virginia Whitaker and sisters Anne Bolton, Mary Whitaker and Charlotte Owen. He was predeceased by his father Dr. Charles H. Whitaker Sr. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. at United Churches of Durham on Monday 8/26. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Neuromuscular Clinic at Hospital for Special Care through this link: https://hfsc.org/giving-dr-whitaker/ . To share memories or express condolences online, please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Whitaker
Sponsored by MiddletownPress.com.
Elaine Andrews
October 6, 2024
I've just learned of Dr. Whitaker passing. I only saw him one time in his office for tests in March 2024 but he made a lasting impression on me. I referred several people to him because I was so impressed with him, never being aware
of his illness. We spenta lot of time chatting during lengthy testing. It was so obvious how much he cared for his patients. He was caustically humorous & fast in verbal responses. Funny doesn't describe
it. He spoke of his wife & daughters & his pride in them & we both agreed that things are different between parent & children as opposed to our upbringing. He bluntly said he enjoyed our time together, as did I. He was like a friend, not my doc. Properly diagnosed as severe. I had my surgery at his urging & am still recovering. Finding out that my "friend" had passed shook me deeply. I'm so sorry for his wife& daughters but more sorry for the patients that won't laugh hysterically at his
antics & incredibly accurate diagnoses. I'm sorry to not be able to see him again. So sad that the world lost such a smart, caring, compassionate & very kind human being. May he rest in the arms of the Lord.
Neva Slattery
October 6, 2024
I was so saddened today to learn of the death of Dr.
Whitaker at the ALS Walk at Lighthouse Park in New Haven. He was my husband´s doctor in 2021. We both felt Dr Whitaker´s compassion, knowledge and caring ways. I am so sorry to the Whitaker family
Karen & Steven shonta
September 3, 2024
To the Whitaker family
We were so sorry to hear of Dr. Whitaker's passing . Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Haggerty
September 1, 2024
To the Family:
Charles is the neurologist who treats my sister and brother at the OPMD Clinic in the Hospital for Special Care. He had treated an Uncle of mine has well.
He is an outstanding man and physician who truly cares about his patients. He was a kind, gentle man. He was a wealth of knowledge in the care of my family and the education of all of us. My mother had OPMD has well as all 3 siblings. Her mother had it has well has most of her many siblings except one. My mother had to go to Canada for treatment. This wonderful doctor dedicated his life to the care of so many people with disorders that are rare. He was always seeking to learn more and was upset when his grants were written, accepted and then not implemented.
I am shocked to learn of his passing. He was a vibrant, loving man. My very deepest sympathy for his passing. I was perplexed to learn he was on a leave of absence and assumed it was due to a family issue or to further his education.
He will be dearly missed by all he cared for both patients and families.
Sincerely,
Kathy Haggerty
Marybeth Caldarone.
August 27, 2024
It is with great sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to Dr Whitaker`s family. My daughter and I were patients of his and will truly miss his kindness, easy manner and sense of humor. We developed a close patient doctor relationship over the years and are so saddened by this news.
Harriet A. Fellows, DO
August 27, 2024
Alison, and family,
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. When our daughter needed a neurologist to change her meds at Hospital for Special Care, Your beloved hubby took her on and successfully changed her over. Sarah loved his 'laid back' demeanor. I loved his attention to detail..This is devastating news to hear. May his memory be a blessing and may your special memories bolster you through your grief.
Sincerely,
Harriet Fellows, DO, FACN
April Cannon
August 26, 2024
To his family and friends I am so very sorry for your loss he was a great Dr who I had at UConn then followed him to HSP of special care he had a great bed side manner and was so kind and wil be missed your all in my prayers
Warren Skokan
August 26, 2024
My deepest condolences. He was a caring doctor that always took the time to explain things in laymen terms. He always had time to talk football. God bless Charles and his family.
Jill L Root
August 26, 2024
Allison and family, my sincere condolences. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Jill Root and Family.
Heather Miller
August 25, 2024
A wonderful doctor to multiple members of my family - especially my brother Justin Miller. We loved Dr. Whitaker. Condolences to the family - he was simply the best.
Love,
Heather Miller-Giovannani
Doug Kennedy
August 24, 2024
I remember going to Charle´s house when I was little and playing for hours under Magnolia trees near the Bayou, he was always laughing, rest in peace Charles
Evan Noglow
August 24, 2024
He helped me through a difficult time and I'll never forget him. My sincere condolences to his family.
Stephen Wheat
August 23, 2024
Condolences to all. I am truly broken-hearted. I was in medical school with Charles and we had such good times together. He will be sorely missed.
Stephen Wheat
Timothy
August 23, 2024
My wife Debra and I first met Dr. Whitaker in 2014 when he was the first physician to diagnose her with ALS. At the time he shared tears with us at the news and provided us with moral support at every ALS clinic visit afterwards.
We last saw the doctor in January and he was all excited and rushed off to send his wife a picture of the hand made sail bag we gave him.
We will miss him and wish his family well during these trying times.
Attached is a memory of the doctor and Debra at the 2018 GHO.
Tim and Deb G.
Sonja Morales
August 22, 2024
Dear Allison and Family, Our sincerest condolences to you all from the Morales Family. We are praying for strength and comfort for you all. With much love, Sonja, Alberto, Lisamarie, and Isabelle.
Nicole M
August 22, 2024
Dr. Whitaker and family, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace within the memories you've shared. Sending healing prayers your way.
.
August 22, 2024
Condolences on the passing of your loved one. Know his heavenly light will shine brightly upon high, his loved ones.
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