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Charles John DePrince, age 76, currently a resident of Fayetteville, GA and formerly a resident of Cherry Hill, New Jersey passed away on June 28, 2020 from Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body dementia.
Mr. DePrince was born on October 22, 1943 in Camden, New Jersey. He was married to Elaine Rose DePrince for 49 years, and together they raised eleven children: two biological and nine adopted. He was a disabled Army Veteran. He was the Chairman of the Board of Fuji Chemical Industries USA, Inc. in Burlington, New Jersey, where he was employed since 1996. He was actively involved in Hemophilia-related organizations for many years, and assisted in the research for the non-fiction book that established the legal theory for the Hemophilia/HIV cases in the U.S. and Canada: CRY BLOODY MURDER: A TALE OF TAINTED BLOOD by Elaine DePrince (Random House, 1997).
Mr. DePrince was preceded in death by his three youngest sons: Charles John DePrince, Jr. (11), Michael-Noah DePrince (15) and Theodore DePrince (24). All three boys were hemophiliacs who died of AIDS as a result of contracting HIV from contaminated blood- plasma products, used to treat the bleeding due to hemophilia.
In addition to his wife, survivors include his sons and daughters: Adam DePrince, Erik DePrince (and his wife, Jessica Volinski), Mia DePrince-Williams (and her husband, Travis Compton Williams), Michaela DePrince, Jestina DePrince, Bernice DePrince, Mariel DePrince and Amie DePrince. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Dylan DePrince Volinski, Claire DePrince Volinski, and Aisha Sitti.
Once Covid-19 subsides, Members of his immediate family will privately hold a memorial service for him along the Appalachian Trail on Loft Mountain in Virginia, where he frequently hiked with his wife and children.
Memorial contributions should be made to either of the following: Parkinson’s Foundation or Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Yasuko Kuroda says
Dear DePrince Family,
Charlie has been my mentor for 20 years. I have learned to become a business person in many ways and rightways. He helped our people to be successful. Because of his warm and caring attitude, Fuji USA has been successful with very united teamwork.
I am very grateful that I have worked with him for many years. He will live in our hearts as long as we live.
Amy Motley says
My deepest condolences to Elaine and family. I had the privilege of working with Charlie many years at Fuji. He was a man who was a wonderful leader and his quite strength and disposition made such a positive impact in my life. He will be remembered and truly missed by all who knew him.
Janice says
To the DePrince Family,
I send my deepest condolences. I worked with Charlie for just 2 short years but felt like I knew him for much longer. His kindness was so genuine and learning the story of his family was so heart warming. The world needs a lot more people like Charlie. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity of knowing him.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you <3
-Janice
Maybelle Honey says
To the DePrince Family,
My sincerest condolences for an incredibly great loss. I had the pleasure of working with Charlie for many years at Fuji USA. He was so respected by his colleagues and led our US office with great success. He was a model of a great leader and all around wonderful human being. Charlie always made the employees in our office feel appreciated. When he was in the office, he would make the time to stop at each of our work stations to say good morning and have a brief conversation with us. I always enjoyed sharing stories about our families. Although I wish we had more time with him, it brings me comfort knowing he is at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will remember him always.
-Maybelle
Jeff Langa says
To the DePrince family,
Please accept my condolences for your loss. Charlie was my business mentor and a life long industry friend. I first met him in the early 80’s when he hired me at Ingredient Technology Corp and now I am near the end of my career at Fuji USA, the company where he spent so many years. It came full circle! I learned so much from Charlie that I carried with me throughout my working years, He was a gentle man that pulled the best out of people through the respect and honor he showed them. He always wanted the people around him to succeed and was truly influential in teaching the correct way to handle yourself in the business world. I will always remember him in my heart and be thankful for what he gave to me.
My prayers are with you. Charlie will be sorely missed.
Jeff
Shinya Uchiyama says
To the DePrince family,
Please accept my deepest and most heartful condolences at this most challenging time.
I had the priviledge of working with Charlie-san as the counter party of Fuji Japan for 20 years.
We knew he was a wonderful person not only as a businessman but also as a human being.
May he rest in peace.
Shinya
Debbie Barr says
My love to the whole DePrince family. Charlie was a well-respected, kind, peaceful, loving man. He and Elaine were two halves that truly made a whole. His love for his family was immeasurable. His quiet demeanor was the calm throughout the many storms of life. He was a truly special person, and he will live on in all his children and grandchildren. Sending the whole family my sincerest condolences during this extremely difficult time. Love you all!
Elizabeth Fahy says
Dear Elaine, Mia, Mariel, and siblings,
We send you our heartfelt condolences as you mourn the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. He was a wonderful man – the wind beneath the wings of your beautiful family. We will never forget how he and Elaine opened their hearts to us when we were neighbors in Williston, VT. Prayers for all of you at this difficult time. The Fahys (Liz, Bill, Shannon)
Mark and Marjolein Blok says
Dear DePrince family,
We want to send you our deep, warm and heartfelt condolences for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. We never had the pleasure of getting to know Charles, but we feel we got to know him a little through the the stories that Michaela and Mia told us about him. Those stories were full of love for their father and they praised his sense of humor. We want to wish you all the strength to deal with his loss. We hope you keep cherishing your memories of him.
Cousin Sharlene says
Dear Elaine and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending my condolences to the Family. Hope that happy and loving memories will get all of you through this very difficult time.
Ruspantine and Yannerella Families says
On behalf of the Ruspantine and Yannerella Famies, I would like to extend to you and your family, their deepest sympathies for the loss of Charles. The news was. Surprising and very sad. Wishing you and your family much peace during this time.
Thomas Puzzutelli says
Dear DePrince family,
I am saddened to hear of the death of cousin Charles. I know he was a loving husband and very capable leader in industry. To me he was a kookie cousin from back in the day, the 1960’s, that I always loved. He was a cousin that liked my father and was a funny role model to myself and I am sure others in the DePrince family.
Stephanie says
Elaine,
I am so sorry to hear of Charles passing.
My sincerest sympathy to you and your family. We hope you find peace and comfort in the knowledge that Charles was a wonderful, kind father and husband.
Mia DePrince-Williams says
Mom and I went to lunch on your birthday. It was wonderful. You would’ve enjoyed eating outside. It wasn’t too hot or too cold. Truly perfect weather. We miss you daddy. Happy birthday!!
I love you forever<3
Portia Ngxangane says
Dear Ma Elaine and Family
I send God`s comfort to the entire family. I personally do not know any of you. But I have read about what you have done for Michaela and other kids you have adopted (Although I only read about Michaela in Dr. Trimm`s book, Hello, Tomorrow!) and after reading I went online to look for the information about the DePrince family. I was very touched and encouraged by your courage. So encouraged by you and Mr. DePrince, he had a big heart.
I am so sorry for your loss
Randel J Bennett says
Dear Mrs. DePrince and Family,
You have my sincere condolence, admiration, and gratitude. I too personally do not know Mr. Charles nor any member of the family. I am a college student of a rather mature age and read Taking Flight as an assignment. I am African American, the descendant of African slaves in American and I felt honor bound to pay my respects to the husband and wife that in deeds elevates humanity to its highest covenant, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself!”
May peace fill your souls a quickening.
Debora Hawkins Perry says
Dear Charles Family,
I was just checking up of the whereabouts of some of dearest college friends via the internet and was saddened to hear that Charles had passed away. I knew Charles at our time at Bethany College, West Virginia from 1965 until his graduation in 1967. As a Fine Arts major, Charles displayed so much sensitivity, passion and depth in each character that he portrayed. His commitment to arts transcended to friendships at Bethany I was honored to know him and of his friend. Although I graduated in 1969, I do have the 1967 yearbook as it was the custom at Bethany that all students would get a copy of each yearbook during the years we were students. I you don’t have his yearbook and would like copy, I would be honored to send you mine.. My love, prayers and peace go out to Charles’ entire family during this very difficult transition. Debora Perry
Comfort Mark-Shanu says
Beloved Mrs Elaine Deprince and family
My heart felt sympathy to you all as I pray that the Almighty God grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
I read the story about you and your family’s love for helpless children, I admire and cherish you all. I pray that God continues to keep you all safe, well and healthy always.
I admire you deeply Elaine, you’re one in a trillion, a woman with a heart of Gold. I could go on and on to say a lot of things about you but let me pause here. Even though I do not know you, I love you and what you and Charles have done. He’s resting with his maker from his toils.
God bless you immensely
Steph says
Michaela is with you again. Keep an eye on her. She’ll make heaven dance
A says
So touched by all that is happening today four years later. I pray for you all still here, and for you up there now rejoined. The story of Ms deprive has allowed me to discover about you all as a family. An extraordinary legacy!
Sincerely ad respectfully, Miss T
A says
So touched by all that is happening today four years later. I pray for you all still here, and for you up there now rejoined. The story of Ms DePrince has allowed me to discover about you all as a family. An extraordinary legacy!
Sincerely ad respectfully,
Miss T
(Apologies for the previous message, I have dysgraphia and didn’t see the mistake, sorry.)
Jennifer Moulton says
To the DePrince children,
You can see that strangers are so deeply touched by your family that we are leaving messages here, on your father’s remembrance page, where there is an opportunity to send love. Wishing you healing and joyful memories and the buoyancy of all the love and admiration that exists for you out here in the world. I was a professional ballerina in England and the US before Michaela was born and it gave me such delight and excitement to watch her kick through silly stereotypes and systemic boundaries. She was a bright, gorgeous flaming streak of light that burned through the international ballet world and transformed it forever. May she rest in sweetest peace with her father, mother, brothers and ancestors.
Ebony Roach says
I am so touched by the love Mr. and Mrs. Deprince had for their family and to humanity. I did not know them but they leave a lasting impression on me and a true example and witness of what it means to love like Christ. May those of the Deprince family that have transitioned from this life, may they rest in peace. Even though a space of time has passed, I send my condolences to the family.
Mark Day says
To the DePrince Family,
I came across this page and the news of the passing of Mr. Charlie DePrince only today. Although a number of years have passed, I would like to send my heartfelt condolences and warm wishes to you all. I had the opportunity to work with Mr. DePrince during my time with Fuji Chemical Industry in Japan and in the US (1998-2005). It was an honor to have known him and to have worked under him when I was in New Jersey. He was a very inspiring leader that was always respectful, kind and sincere in bringing out the best in the people that worked with him. I was always hoping to meet him again one day after I left but unfortunately that couldn’t happen. May he rest in peace…