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Zechariah Chafee Obituary
of Providence took his own life on September 29, 2017 in Santa Monica, California. He was 28.
A great-grandson of a Texas oil "wildcatter", a grandson of the late US Senator John H. Chafee and a Providence native, the younger Chafee came of age on the East Side. He was educated at the Moses Brown School from the earliest grade through his graduation in 2007. A heavy hitter and fiery leader at middle linebacker for several powerful MB football squads, Chafee won 2006 RI Inter-Scholastic League First Team All-Division III honors for his dominance at his position.
Those who knew him from his school days have remarked on Chafee's gentleness and comfort for those in distress and his encouragement of those younger than he. Tall, broad shouldered, handsome, blessed with a probing mind, a swift wit, and a rare ability to read people, there was a magnetic, charismatic quality to the man, as well as a natural ease with men and women of all ages and stations in life. He drew people to him.
Before enrolling at Bryant University, Chafee put to work a gift for oral persuasion in selling advertising for a national satirical publication. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryant in 2016, Chafee spoke highly of the school and the professors with whom he had studied.
Chafee leaves his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth Lee, his beloved brother Sam, his much loved grandmothers, Adelaide Comegys and Virginia Chafee, as well as numerous aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Walker B. Comegys, a Boston lawyer and former acting head of the Anti-Trust Division of the US Department of Justice.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 10:30 AM, at St. Martin's Church, Orchard Avenue, Providence. Donations may be made in memory of Zechariah Chafee, Jr. to National Alliance on Mental Illness, 154 Waterman St., Providence, RI, 02906. Tel: 401-331-3060.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Zechariah Chafee
Jeremy gordon
October 4, 2024
I remember, Lee.
Jeremy
October 4, 2023
I am thinking of you, Lee. Your sorrow is my sorrow.
Jeremy Gordon
September 14, 2023
Lee: I was thinking of you today, and saw this Legacy site. We both know the profound heartache of this loss. I grieve with you. Jeremy
Robin DiBattista
October 4, 2022
A treasured soul belonging to the universe now.
A beautiful face I will never forget.
Until we meet again,
Godspeed
November 23, 2018
Dear Lee,
I just learned that you were living in Providence after all these years so I went on line to see if I could reach out to you and learned of your sons passing. I felt such heartbreak for you and your family. I think of you often and am so very sorry for your loss.
Cathie Smith Skaletsky'
Swampscott,Ma
Peter Thurber
April 9, 2018
To The Chafee Family,
It is with profound regret that I recently learned of your tragic and grievous loss. Words, as they usually are, seem inadequate to share with you my sincerest condolences and am only able to say to you that I share in your grief and sadness. You are, and will remain, in my thoughts.
Most Sincerely,
Pete Thurber
Pensacola, FL
Daniel Meagher
January 16, 2018
Dear Chafee Family,
I am deeply saddened to learn of Zech's passing. I met Zechariah in the summer of 2017 and had the pleasure of spending many great moments with your smart, unique & thoughtful son & brother. He was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you have the strength to heal these wounds. God Bless
Kate Munroe Daly
October 15, 2017
Dear Lee and family,
So sad to hear about your loss. Sending you loads of heartfelt love your way.
Margaret Wool
October 14, 2017
Dear Lee, Zech, and Sam,
Our thoughts are with you in your grief - so devastating a loss. Vince and I wish you peace at this terribly painful loss of your beautiful son and brother. May the good memories be a blessing and a comfort to you.
With love,
Margaret Wool & Vince Mor
October 13, 2017
Dear Chaffee Family,
What a terrible loss. May all your memories give you comfort , may you see the sunshine, flowers and feel the wind of angels in his memory.
Jane O'Farrell-Sherman
October 13, 2017
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jane, Richard, Tom and Courtney
France Hunter
October 13, 2017
To Lee, Zech ans Sam,
I have fond memories of Zech as a good friend to my son Ian; he was, as was said of him, always gentle and considerate. He will be greatly missed in the world. My deepest sympathy for your unfathomable loss. May peace be with you all.
Truly,
France Hunter
ELAINE MOFFAT
October 12, 2017
I am a former Rhode Islander, retired in Florida, and I send my deepest condolences to all the family. I am so saddened by this handsome, educated young man that he would do this but mental illness knows no boundaries. RIP Zechariah, you will be missed by all who loved you, and some of us who did not even know you.
Sheila Lennon
October 12, 2017
Lee, my heart goes out to you.
Stacey B.
October 11, 2017
May God's peace be with you all at this difficult time.
John and Kathy Holmes
October 11, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with your beautiful family. I had the pleasure of meeting your son. What a wonderful man. We are praying for you all!!! My love to Ginny Chafee. God bless you all and God bless Zechariah!!'
October 11, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss . My condolence to the entire family. May god keep him in his arms forever.
Al Cogswell and my wife Doreene.
Michael J. Polouski
October 11, 2017
Zech, Words seem inadequate. My deepest sympathy to you, your wife, and family. With thoughts of peace and courage, Mike
Alton William (Bill) Wiley, Jr.
October 11, 2017
My sincere condolences go out to the entire Chaffee family. May Zechariah rest in eternal peace. MB Class of 76.
Ann Carnevale
October 11, 2017
Dear Lee and Zech- I am so very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Dona Rosa
October 10, 2017
What a sad loss,, the world is lost with out,, so talented so bright I am so sorry to the family of Zachariah May he rest in gods arms forever my prayers are with you all God bless
Eileen Grosso
October 10, 2017
I do not know anyone in the family personally, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy for your loss!
Jean Burns
October 10, 2017
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to your family on Zech's loss. My prayers are constant that God will comfort and surround you within his loving arms and that Zech will be in God's presence for all eternity.
Faye Zuckerman
October 10, 2017
Dear Lee and Zech,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please accept our condolences.
Faye, John, Seth and Melanie
October 10, 2017
Just terribly sad to hear about Zech.
He was at our home many times over the years, and Sam remains a very close friend to my son Josh.
I'm heartbroken for you all. I'm around the corner and will visit you when the time is more comfortable for you.
Bless you with loving memories.
Lovingly, Heidi Loomis.
Sheila
October 10, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the family & friends of Zechariah. May God surround you with much love, comfort and strength.
Bob Wojciechowski
October 10, 2017
I am very sorry for your loss and may God comfort your family and Grant you the strenght you need to heal during this difficult time
Vic Bam
October 10, 2017
To the Chafee family, my deepest condolences. To Zech, my dear friend, classmate, and fellow Quaker legend, you will be missed. I hope you're at peace.
Pam Thomas
October 10, 2017
Lee and Zech,
Chris and I are so very sorry about your loss. Such a tragedy. Thank you for that obituary. May your son rest in peace.
Robin DiBattista
October 10, 2017
May heart is filled with sorrow that Zech isn't around anymore to lift people up as he did. I knew him a short while but he has made a long-lasting impression on me.
I miss him already
Matt,Barbara,Brandon & Daril Geisser/Fowler Family
October 10, 2017
The Geisser/Fowler family wish to express our deepest sympathy to the Chafee family. Matt, Barbara, Brandon and Daril
Annette Berarducci
October 10, 2017
Dear Lee, Zech Sr., and Sam, we are so deeply, deeply sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
Anna Stetson
October 10, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Chaffee Family on the loss of this young man at such a young age.... My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss. May he Rest in Peace in God's Heaven and watch you from above!
Anna Stetson
October 10, 2017
So sorry for the loss of this young man! May he Rest in Peace in God's heaven..sympathies to the family!
Cindy Elder
October 10, 2017
Zechariah contributed so much during his short life. We are so sad that you have lost him, but I know his memory, his gentleness and his effect on those around him will have an enduring impact.
Blessings on your family as you seek the strength together to heal. Let us know how we can help.
Cindy Elder
NAMI Rhode Island
October 10, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort, bring comfort to the Chafee family during these difficult times.
(2 Corin.1:3,4)
Steph Browne
October 9, 2017
Zech,Lee, and Sam, I am stunned and so sorry for your loss. I still remember with great fondness baking cookies and watching Disney movies with young Zech and Sam when they were small. Being there when they first strapped on skates to play hockey with Brown Youth Hockey was great fun. It will be these memories and more like them that will sustain all of us who knew Zechariah.
Steph Browne
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