Former Foster Child's Funeral
Donation protected
We, whose names are listed at the end of this document, are Mr. Edward Nesbitt (“Eddie”)’s former co-workers and advocates. As per the Authorization-Consent signed on September 20, 2013 and letters dated September 28, 2013 and March 10, 2014, Eddie had given us permission to advocate on his behalf with respect to his retirement-pension benefits and other services he desperately needed. In good faith and without expecting any retribution, we helped him the best way possible.
Upon information and belief, Mr. Nesbitt was a citizen of the United States of America. He was unable to represent-advocate for services/entitlements himself. He had cognitive and medical disabilities. He could not read or write. He basically knew to write his name. He did not know anything about his biological family. The only biographical information he recalled was that he was in a foster home as a child, his foster mother died, and he was never adopted. After he turned 21 years, he received some type of training and was placed in a school kitchen. He worked for the NYC Department of Education/Office of School Food Services for 41 years. He rendered his services at IS 238Q, PS 95Q and a school in Woodhaven. His last assignment was at IS 238Q. He was a member of DC 37. He was terminated from his employment as a Senior School Lunch Helper in 2013 after missing several days of work when he became sick and was admitted to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. After discharge from the hospital, Eddie reported to work just to find out that he had no job. Unaware of what to do, he became despondent and shared with other workers that he had no money. It appeared that he had no understanding of what was going on. Upon his termination, Eddie was not provided with any information about his benefits. He lost his health insurance and income, among other things. He was not eligible for a full pension from the DOE because he did not join the retirement system and paid membership contributions under the applicable law for the required period of time, to wit, he was not aware of until he was terminated. Eddie was at a major loss! He did not starve and become homeless because of Good Samaritans.
We have a good faith belief that Mr. Nesbitt was a victim of bureaucracy. Despite having special needs, he worked for the City of New York for 41 years, paid his taxes and contributed to society. Since we became aware of Eddie’s situation on September 20, 2013, we reached out to numerous governmental, non-profit/pro bono/advocacy agencies and politicians at the federal, state and city levels, among others, to advocate on his behalf, but most of our requests fell on deaf ears. Our outreach efforts are carefully documented and ready for perusal, as deemed appropriate.
We are devastated to share that Mr. Nesbitt passed away at the age of 68. On July 24, 2019, after placing a 911 call, the respondent NYPD Officers found him dead in the bathroom. Upon Eddie’s demise, we have attempted to locate any living relative, hoping someone would come forward before his corpse is released from the City Morgue and funeral arrangements can be made, but to no success.
Mr. Nesbitt was an amazing, friendly, hard-working, funny and polite gentleman. He was loved by all. His advocates and friends do not want his remains to be tossed in a potter’s field! We would like to dignify him with a decent funeral so his soul can rest in peace. He cannot be cremated in the absence of a next-of-kin. Please consider helping out to cover the costs of his funeral and memorial services. Donations will go directly to the Funeral Home. You can also contact us at [email redacted]. Monumental thanks in advance for your support!
May Mr. Nesbitt's soul rest in peace and rise in glory, Amen!
Gratefully,
Aura Moody, Ethel Williams and Marion Fitzgerald
Upon information and belief, Mr. Nesbitt was a citizen of the United States of America. He was unable to represent-advocate for services/entitlements himself. He had cognitive and medical disabilities. He could not read or write. He basically knew to write his name. He did not know anything about his biological family. The only biographical information he recalled was that he was in a foster home as a child, his foster mother died, and he was never adopted. After he turned 21 years, he received some type of training and was placed in a school kitchen. He worked for the NYC Department of Education/Office of School Food Services for 41 years. He rendered his services at IS 238Q, PS 95Q and a school in Woodhaven. His last assignment was at IS 238Q. He was a member of DC 37. He was terminated from his employment as a Senior School Lunch Helper in 2013 after missing several days of work when he became sick and was admitted to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. After discharge from the hospital, Eddie reported to work just to find out that he had no job. Unaware of what to do, he became despondent and shared with other workers that he had no money. It appeared that he had no understanding of what was going on. Upon his termination, Eddie was not provided with any information about his benefits. He lost his health insurance and income, among other things. He was not eligible for a full pension from the DOE because he did not join the retirement system and paid membership contributions under the applicable law for the required period of time, to wit, he was not aware of until he was terminated. Eddie was at a major loss! He did not starve and become homeless because of Good Samaritans.
We have a good faith belief that Mr. Nesbitt was a victim of bureaucracy. Despite having special needs, he worked for the City of New York for 41 years, paid his taxes and contributed to society. Since we became aware of Eddie’s situation on September 20, 2013, we reached out to numerous governmental, non-profit/pro bono/advocacy agencies and politicians at the federal, state and city levels, among others, to advocate on his behalf, but most of our requests fell on deaf ears. Our outreach efforts are carefully documented and ready for perusal, as deemed appropriate.
We are devastated to share that Mr. Nesbitt passed away at the age of 68. On July 24, 2019, after placing a 911 call, the respondent NYPD Officers found him dead in the bathroom. Upon Eddie’s demise, we have attempted to locate any living relative, hoping someone would come forward before his corpse is released from the City Morgue and funeral arrangements can be made, but to no success.
Mr. Nesbitt was an amazing, friendly, hard-working, funny and polite gentleman. He was loved by all. His advocates and friends do not want his remains to be tossed in a potter’s field! We would like to dignify him with a decent funeral so his soul can rest in peace. He cannot be cremated in the absence of a next-of-kin. Please consider helping out to cover the costs of his funeral and memorial services. Donations will go directly to the Funeral Home. You can also contact us at [email redacted]. Monumental thanks in advance for your support!
May Mr. Nesbitt's soul rest in peace and rise in glory, Amen!
Gratefully,
Aura Moody, Ethel Williams and Marion Fitzgerald
Organizer and beneficiary
Aura Moody
Organizer
New York, NY
J. Foster Phillips
Beneficiary