A giant in the Independent Living Movement and a dear friend to the NCIL community, Patricio “Pat” Figueroa Jr., passed away peacefully at the age of 63 on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at Albany Medical Center after a recent illness.
Pat was at the forefront of the Disability Rights and Independent Living Movements. He founded the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, co-founded the 504 Democratic Club, and was the publisher of the national Independent Living newspaper Independence Today.
He was an artist, a published writer, and webmaster of two disability-related websites: www.ilusa.com, one of the first websites in New York addressing disability-related issues, and www.ilchv.org.
NCIL extends our condolences to his family, especially his daughter Melissa and his wife Denise, who is also a giant in our Movement. Denise Figueroa, Executive Director of the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley and past NCIL President, shared with Pat a dedicated passion for Independent Living that goes unrivaled.
Pat was the kind of person who recognized the potential in everyone he met. His power lied in his unassuming graciousness and desire to share the gift of Independent Living.
He will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, 15-17 3rd St., Troy, NY 12180.
A wake will be held on Monday, April 9 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ambrose Church, 347 Old Loudon Rd, Latham, NY.
