Kathy & Jack, I was so sad to hear of Chad’s passing. I can’t even begin to imagine your great loss. Just know that I have been lifting you all up in prayer. Jill

My deepest condolences to your entire family. I know words will never help, but I hope our prayers to your family will help lift you during this challenging time.

Dear Jack and Kathy – Dean and I are so sorry for your loss. You have our deepest sympathy. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We never think we will outlive our children but whether from illness or something as sudden as Chad’s accident it is never easy. God will keep Chad in your hearts and thoughts always. Let God hold you and comfort you and keep your faith. He will get you through this. We want you to know we are also praying for his partner and his children. Always keep his memory alive and strong for them. Love you and God keep his arms around all of you.

Please accept my deepest condolences in the passing of Chad. He was always pleasant and I enjoyed getting to know him at your restaurant. Prayers for the family during this difficult time.

I always knew him as an impassioned and fiercely opinionated individual that deeply loved his family and was filled with almost too many aspirations; his ideas were all grand and fantastic, motivated by his want to help shape the world and leave his mark on it, and they pulled on him from every direction. What they all shared, at their core, was the strive toward being part of something that would improve the lives of others; with inventing conveniences, helping create connections, even wanting to be host to entertainment for an audience. Life is unfair; we can only work with what it gives us. May every one on which he left a mark live as best of a life as possible with what we each were given, to take any opportunity to change what we can for the better, and to treat others better, while we still have the chance – so that he may still affect this world, living on in others that we affect just as his presence had affected us, for him to not just be consigned to flat words on a flat page that can never have any hope of even beginning to communicate the devastating void left in the wake of this loss. Godfuckingdamnit, he was a good friend. My best.

My deepest sympathies on the death of your son, Chad. My baby boy Kevin, at 3 1/2 years old died in 1998. My heart breaks for you and I know the ups and downs you are feeling and will be feeling. There are no words to comfort us in the loss of a child. I am also The Compassionate Friends Fredericksburg Chapter Leader which is a self-help support group for all bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents who have lost a child. When you are ready, please email me and I will get you some resources. I am here for you if you need me. Praying for you all.