Funds in Memoriam
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- Funds in Memoriam
Autism on the Seas Foundation is honored to host these special Funds created by families or other organizations to further our mission of supporting families in need. You can read more about the Funds below. Some Funds have a link where you can donate to help them help more families. Grants are allocated according to the bequests of each Fund. Please email us at [email protected] if you wish to discuss creating a dedicated Fund for a beloved family member or your organization.
The Charlie Grant
Charles "Charlie" Elliot Rothman was a wonderful young man, truly full of love for life and for his family. He greeted every day with total enthusiasm. He was the beloved son of Elaine Rinfrette, PhD and Ilene Rothman, MD and the beloved brother of Daniel.
Elaine and Ilene wrote
“Charlie dealt with autism and was nonverbal, but he did not let that stop him. He had the sweetest temperament you could imagine. Charlie enjoyed many things in life like horseback riding, adaptive skiing, car trips, doing new things, and fast amusement park rides, Charlie was a lover of music and movies (and movie popcorn!). His all-time favorite movie was The Wizard of Oz. Most of all perhaps, Charlie loved ice cream.
Charlie was a wonderful person all through his too-short life who brought so much joy to his family and to all who were fortunate enough to know him. He taught us many lessons about what is important in life: loving family, enjoying the small things, appreciating beauty around us that we otherwise took for granted, truly cherishing a hug. Everyone who knew Charlie commented on his big, beautiful smile that was almost always on his face. Sadly, Charlie died suddenly at the age of 22. He took our hearts with him, but the gifts he gave us continue to influence our every moment. As part of our way to keep Charlie's memory alive, we established the Charlie Grant along with the wonderful people at Autism on the Seas Foundation. We hope you keep Charlie in mind when you receive this Grant and as you enjoy your trip.”
Caroline’s daughter Hannah wrote
“Caroline was a beloved teacher, mom, wife, and friend. Caroline radiated positivity in everything she did. During her years teaching, she went above and beyond to make sure her students had everything they needed, from clothes, to school supplies, and extra love and tender loving care. Caroline loved traveling and passed this love down to her children. Caroline loved learning and exploring new places, and most importantly, spending quality time with her family. Our Fund in honor of Caroline will allow families to travel and explore the world, spending quality time together and creating memories that last a lifetime.”