Charles Theodore Ladoulis

I had the pleasure of collaborating with Charlie for 5 years at Maimonides Hospital. Charlie was the Chairman of the Pathology Dept. and under him I was the Director of the Clinical Labs. Note that I used the term collaboration, as this was truly a team effort. I am fond of saying that when you love what you are doing, you never work a day in your life. That was the case for us, as our efforts were aimed at providing the best care for our patients. I wish that we had been together earlier in my medical career, as that was a difficult time, with hospital mergers looming. I choose to retire from medical practice, although continuing to teach for 2 decades. My wife Barbara and I enjoyed the company of Charlie and his Barbara frequently to share our interest in the sea and we are saddened to have lost him.

Dr. Charles Ladoulis was a gentleman and a gentle man. I first met him over fifty five years ago when I babysat for his family in Newton. Sometimes he would drive me home in his little sports car, very cool to a young teenage girl. I remember one year I helped make his birthday cake a cherry cheesecake. I enjoyed many celebrations over the years with the family even joining them on vacation in Cataumet. Over the years I met his wonderful parents, and many more relatives.
A few years later I visited the family when they moved to Pittsburgh. During my visit Charlie took me to his lab where I met the rats and he explained the important work he was doing in cancer research.
We were out of touch for a long period of time but I didn’t hesitate to call Charlie when my brother was diagnosed with late stage cancer. Charlie put me in touch with a specialist in Boston. Little did I know when I dialed the number it was the specialist’s home phone! We were able to arrange an appointment immediately. After all those years I was so grateful Charlie was there for me.
Just a couple of years ago Barbara called to say they were in Massachusetts for Thanksgiving and could we get together. We had such a nice visit reconnecting. Finally I could thank Charlie in person for trying to help my brother. He was so gracious as I fumbled with the words to express my gratitude for what he did on behalf of my brother twenty years ago.
Dr. Ladoulis was a kind man, and a thoughtful listener who dedicated his life to his family and medicine. He will be missed by all of us.

Uncle Charlie had a way of always turning the conversation to you, to how you were doing, and offering any suggestions or advice he could give. He did many important things but found joy in others more than his own accomplishments. We often talked of our mutual love for volunteering, and I enjoyed hearing - and reading - about his boat building and sailing volunteer work of which he was so proud. An amazing listener, open and caring, and truly looking for ways to better others lives and experiences. He was such a beloved brother to my Dad Bill, especially as he aged. He visited Boston so many times to catch up with all of us, and his brothers, We are so grateful. In the last few years they spoke several times per week, if not daily. This was so important to my Dad. I hope and pray that the siblings are all together now in Heaven enjoying the peace of being together. All of them led amazing, loving, caring lives...showing us the next generation how to keep a family going- through love and selflessness. May his memory be eternal.

Charlie was my godfather, my uncle, my friend and my mentor.
I have so many wonderful memories with him- he took me to my first play in downtown Boston on the Red line train at age 12, he took me for a tour of the Pathology Department at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital when I was 16 which opened my eyes to my eventual career path in research/medicine/ dentistry at his Alma mater- Harvard. He took me on my first sailing boat in Galveston Bay, Texas- sailing was a passion of his that he shared with many others throughout his life.
He was a brilliant, kind, generous man who will always be in my heart.

Very few people in life are kind, selfless, genuine and good-hearted. Charlie was one of those people and I am fortunate to have met him. From the moment I met Charlie, both he and Barbara welcomed me with loving arms to NMHA and River Rangers. They also welcomed me as a friend and treated me like a member of their family. I always enjoyed seeing Charlie. He made me smile. His presence and his words were always calming. Being around him, I learned a lot. By simply listening to his stories, I knew that Charlie was someone that I aspired to be like: filled with wisdom, caring and just and all around good guy. Again, I am thankful to have met him because by being around him I became a better person.

CHARLES T. LADOULIS

      I had the privilege to meet and become a close friend of Charles T. Ladoulis in 1972, during the oil crisis. That was the time when gasoline was scarce and professionals that lived in the Fox Chapel area (Dr. Charles T. Ladoulis, Dr. John S. Mossie, Dr. Thomas J. Gill and me) decided to form a carpool to commute from Fox Chapel to the University of Pittsburgh where all of us worked. The commute served as the vehicle for close contact and resulted in socialization of the respective families. I remember “Charlie”, as all of us referred to him, as a kind, considerate and giving person. Professionally, his credentials and performance were impeccable. He was a beloved teacher, a fine pathologist and an extraordinary administrator. His many contributions to the advancement of immunology are still relevant today. As a friend, I also enjoyed his warmth and good humor. Over the years, we maintained our friendship through frequent calls. I offer the family my sincere condolences. Charlie will be remembered, and I miss him. Respectfully and with love, Tito Cavallo, M.D.

Charles Ladoulis was my Papou and my father figure. I cannot be more grateful for having him so close to me in my life, growing up with him and living with him. He always had a way to light up others’ faces in the room, and Papou loved telling stories to new faces, friends, and family. He made everyone feel welcomed and at home, and I was and still am constantly learning from him and who he was. He has inspired me to be better each day, treat others with kindness, make others feel loved and supported, treat friends like family, be there for your family, and to be fearless when challenging myself, try new things, and meeting new people. I am so remarkably blessed to have him in my life and to have so many memories together: him telling me stories, us doing science experiments and crafts, sailing together, sharing laughs, going on walks and drives, him coming to my school events, graduations, award ceremonies, concerts, sports games, and simply being there to share with me my highs, lows, and in betweens. I love you and miss you Papou.