JUSTIN FRANCIS CENSKY's Obituary
Justin Francis Censky died in a sudden and tragic traffic accident in Miami on June 3, 2014, at the age of 42. Justin left no wife or children, but many friends in Miami and elsewhere drew inspiration from his incredibly positive attitude.
Justin was born with Apert’s syndrome—acrocephalosyndactyly is the official medical term. It’s a random chromosomal disorder, and the incidence is around one in 80,000 births. Justin was dealt some very tough cards right from day one.
Justin endured uncounted surgeries, the first, only days after birth. Craniofacial surgery is a miracle of modern medicine, and yet it also affected Justin’s appearance, vision, and development.
He drew much of his strength from his late grandmother, Laura, a staunch survivor of the blitz in London in World War II. He loved his father’s large and extended family, even after his father turned Justin’s care over to his mother and Laura. He was an altar server at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Kendale Lakes. When his circumstances became especially difficult, before Laura and his father died, Justin became the ward of his former religious education teacher, Mary Salter, and her husband, Vance.
Justin never gave up. He completed his high school degree at Sunset High School, Class of 1991 and was a proud graduate of Miami Dade College last month. He vocalized his feelings with his therapist, Dr. Stephanie Carter. He worked on independent living skills at the Florida Institute for Neurological Rehabilitation in Wauchula. He learned to work with the help of Gulfstream Goodwill in West Palm Beach. When he returned to Miami, he was able to live in his own apartment, and he volunteered at Baptist Hospital of Miami and a center for seniors.
After his death, Justin’s Facebook page and online friends began to tell the whole story. Justin was not a man with a disability—he was a man who was cheerful, kind, positive, and friendly. He just wanted what we all so badly want. Friends. Respect. A nice night out on special occasions, with a chocolate dessert at the end. A cold beer or a glass of wine on his birthday.
His prayers will be heard. The prayers of his friends, for the repose of a good soul, will be heard. His cremated remains will be inurned next to his father and grandfather at a Catholic cemetery near Akron, Ohio, but his friends in South Florida will have an opportunity to say goodbye to a brave and cheerful servant who simply ran his race too quickly, and won the accolade “well done, Justin, my good and faithful servant, my special apostle,” too soon. We invite you to join us for a memorial gathering and prayer service on Monday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., June 16, 2014. at Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel, 11220 N. Kendall Drive, Miami.
What’s your fondest memory of JUSTIN?
What’s a lesson you learned from JUSTIN?
Share a story where JUSTIN's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with JUSTIN you’ll never forget.
How did JUSTIN make you smile?
