[Fwd: Re: Kessler]

[Guest guest]

We are all very sorry to hear of 's passing. worked hard to

help others over come the same challenges he fought so hard against.

I know 's efforts helped my own quadriplegic daughter, and children

like her!

We offer our humble prayers and blessings to his wife, Deborah, family

and friends.

Thank you very much for letting us know.

Blessings!

Ed

On 2/19/2010 11:40 AM, DAC4VA@... wrote:

> OBITUARY

>

> Kessler of Woodbridge, a health care reform activist whose

> passion positively affected the lives of many, passed away Thursday at

> the age of 59 due to complications from pneumonia.

>

> He was a quadriplegic for most of his life, due to a sports injury in

> his early years. While life presented him with so many physical

> obstacles he saw none and rose above them all.

>

> He fought hard for the handicapped, the elderly, and those with

> special needs beyond his own state of Virginia. He was out spoken and

> always had way of getting his voice heard. He met with many state

> governors and battled for those that couldn't fight for themselves. He

> was an appointed member to many state boards, committees and

> commissions and influenced over 15 million voters nationwide. He

> founded the DAC (Disabled Action Committee) and was passionate about it.

>

> In his early years he played guitar and was the leader of his own band

> " Shades of Purple " . He loved the outdoors, boating and fishing and

> flying, he was a pilot. He dabbled in several businesses such as

> auto repair, carpet, restaurant and real estate, etc. 's happiest

> memory was working with his dad on Dewey's supply boat, a store on the

> water nicknamed the " Bumboat " , in Toledo, Ohio.

>

> was born in Toledo, Ohio on September 8, 1950, and moved to

> Virginia in 1980. He was preceded in death by his father Dewey

> Leighton Kessler and mother Joan Sheldon-Kessler. He leaves behind one

> brother, Dewey Kessler and his wife Deborah, and five sisters, Jean

> Kessler, Janet Ludwig and husband Fredrick, Kathleen Cook (his twin

> sister)and husband , Sheila Comstock and her husband ,

> Kerri Kessler, sixteen nieces and nephews and twenty eight great

> nieces and nephews, three uncles and three aunts, Virginia Abrahamson,

> Sheldon, Sheldon, belle an Earl Shepherd, Doris

> Sheldon and a wealth of friends including his personal caregivers and

> best friend of 50 years, Bob Cook.

>

> There will be a celebration of life party for on Sunday,

> February 21, 2010 at 4PM at the VFW Post 1503 on Minnieville Road

> Woodbridge, VA. planned his own party and burial at sea. In

> lieu of flowers the family asks that friends donate to the

> and Dana Reeve Spinal Cord Injury Foundation. Donations can be made in

> memory of Kessler at www.christopherreeve.org

>

> always said it's not the quantity of life but the quality of

> life that counts.

>

> **Some people grin and bear it. Others smile and change it.**

>