Chuck Wesley, who played softball and volleyball in the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) , died Feb. 5 after a battle with leukemia. He was 52.
"Heaven is a brighter place today," said CMSA President Shawn Albritton after learning of Wesley's passing. Albritton added that he was in "shock" after hearing the news.
"I thought that Chuck was well on the road to recovery. I just saw him three weeks ago and he seemed to be in his usual great spirit."
Wesley played outfield and catcher on a D-Division softball team in 2010, Big Chicks Wicked, coached by Brian Harder.
"It's never easy losing a friend. I will always remember his positive attitude and outgoing personality," said CMSA softball commissioner Jack Neilsen. "His fight has taught me that you need to make the most of each day as tomorrow is never promised."
Neilsen had known Wesley for about two years.
"One of my favorite stories of Chuck is running into him last year in Columbus, Ohio, at the Gay Softball World Series," Neilsen said. "Chuck was working the door at the annual Charity Talent Show, and I was one of the entertainers for the evening. The look of surprise on Chuck's face when he saw me in full makeup was completely priceless."
Albritton invited Wesley to ride on the CMSA float in the annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade, along with Joey Rivera from New York City and other fellow flag football referees who where visiting for the weekend.
"The five of us had a fantastic time all day, on the float and at the after-parties," Albritton said. "We took some great pictures on the rooftop of Chuck's condo building. It was a beautiful day and this is how I will always remember Chuck.
"He kept fighting and always was upbeat."
Wesley also played indoor and beach volleyball for CMSA. He was the human resources manager for Starwood Hotels.
Several of his local friends started the Chuck Wesley Chicago Memorial Page on Facebook.
"Chuck's passing was a shock to many of us," said Harder, 46, who lives in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. "He had struggled with leukemia in the past year and we thought it had been taken care of with a bone marrow transplant last fall. When it returned recently and he was admitted to the hospital again, we thought it was just another fight he would win. So we were all surprised to find out he had passed.
"I've known Chuck for two years. He came to Chicago in 2009 and we found him a home on our softball team. He was a positive role model and inspirational spirit from the beginning. And when he couldn't play, he was there to cheer us on.
"I will always remember his selfless spirit and determination to beat the odds. He was deeply spiritual and always knew he was in God's hands under any and all circumstances."
Ross Forman