Bruce Elliott Chapin

Bruce Chapin -- husband, father, grandfather, and brother -- left us August 26 after a courageous battle with cancer. Despite difficult prognoses over the years, he always maintained a positive outlook and he was determined to live a long and happy life. He succeeded.

Bruce was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, in 1939, and grew up on Staten Island with his parents, Sarah and Elliott Chapin. A graduate of the Staten Island Academy and Williams College, he later received a J.D. from the Stetson College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Bruce met his wife, Linda, when both were working at the New York World's Fair in 1964. They recently celebrated 56 years of marriage. Both have been active in civic and community affairs and balanced professional careers while also raising four children.

Some of his best years were spent coaching Pine Castle YMCA and Delaney Park Little League teams with his sons and daughter. Another highlight was watching his boys play Boone High School basketball, culminating with an underdog State Championship in 1983. He was a fitness fanatic, spending countless hours at the gym or on the jogging trail. (His family is convinced that it was his fitness and healthy lifestyle that allowed him to persevere against several forms of cancer over the years.)

Saltwater fishing was a lifetime avocation, with many happy hours spent catching the outgoing tides at Sebastian Inlet, beach fishing from Playalinda, annual "boys' trips" to Chokoloskee, and constant family boating and fishing in Boca Grande. A later passion in life was his volunteer work for Orlando Health visiting patients with the Chapins' therapy dogs, Moose and then Red Rover.

Above all, Bruce loved his family and the time he spent with them. He developed special relationships with each of his daughters-in-law, and he took great joy in his grandchildren Nathan, Katharine, Blair, Grey, and Sarah. An expert in juggling babies from his own days with twins, Bruce was always instantly available for outings with grandchildren. All will continue to benefit from the examples he set with his courage, family focus, and humor.

Bruce was particularly proud of being a member of the Florida Bar for 50+ years. After several decades of practicing law, Bruce found a true calling in helping resolve disputes rather than litigate them, with several thousands of mediations and arbitrations on his resume. Just as he did with his profession, Bruce instilled in his children the importance of always being fair - to everyone - no matter the circumstances.

Over the last 20 years, Bruce was fortunate to be under the care of many talented surgeons, nurses, and healthcare professionals and always found positive and funny ways to interact and impact those around him, no matter how difficult the course of treatment.

Bruce's happiest times were traveling with wife Linda, encouraging the adventures of his children (including a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro with son Patrick), and running many miles with several generations of Standard Poodles.

He is survived by wife Linda; daughter Jennifer Chapin; sons Andrew Chapin (Ann); Patrick Chapin (Michelle); Roger Chapin (Susan); brothers Gilbert Chapin (Valerie) and Dick Welch (Dolores); niece Caroline Welch and nephews Bryan Chapin and Jeff Chapin; and grandchildren Nathan Chapin, Katharine Chapin, Grey Chapin, and Sarah Chapin. He was preceded in death by granddaughter Blair Chapin.

A family service will be held at a later time. Those wishing to honor his contributions to Central Florida life might consider Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, P.O. Box 6901, Columbia, SC 29260; Paws for Hope Pet Therapy Program at Orlando Health Foundation, 3160 Southgate Commerce Blvd., Ste 50, Orlando, FL 32806 or their favorite charity.