In Memoriam

We’ve just returned from the funeral of Leonard Hicks, a faithful supporter and a great friend. Leonard was the owner of Castle Door and Hardware, next door to the Hospitals of Hope office, and we couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor.

Leonard was always eager to help us out however he could, whether it was by loaning us an extra forklift or by donating and installing doors in the Clinics in Cans. If you’ve spent much time at the office, you probably met Leonard, and you definitely met his dog Molly, who greeted us every morning as we arrived.

Leonard was the cofounder of the Bridgeport Area Business Association, and, when we decided to build Clinics in a Can for Haiti in January, he not only donated his own materials and labor but also recruited other area businesses to help out.

We were humbled to learn that Leonard’s family chose to set up a memorial fund benefitting Hospitals of Hope. Leonard gave so much in life; we should not have been surprised to learn that he would keep giving, even after death.

We will miss Leonard, but we don’t believe that we’ve seen him for the last time. As Tennyson wrote,

Strong Son of God, immortal Love,

Whom we, that have not seen thy face,

By faith, and faith alone, embrace,

Believing where we cannot prove;


...

Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:

Thou madest man, he knows not why,

He thinks he was not made to die;

And thou hast made him: thou art just.

...

We have but faith: we cannot know;

For knowledge is of things we see;

And yet we trust it comes from thee,

A beam in darkness: let it grow.