Rev. George Memory Chapman (Bear, Dad, Papi) died peacefully in his sleep on January 18th, after a short illness, in the company of his beloved wife of over 57 years, Margie. His final days were spent surrounded by his loving family, including a celebration of his 81st birthday with his children and grandchildren. George cherished his children, Beth Chapman of Brookline, Amy Chapman Drake and her husband John Drake of Easthampton and George Chapman and his wife Stacey Pintar Chapman of Natick. As Papi, he was an adoring, fun and wise grandfather to Beth's Delilah and Blake, Amy and John's John, Hannah and Asha and George and Stacey's Audrey and Esme.

He was also a foster father to many, and friend, confidant, spiritual advisor and mentor to many more. Those who knew George understood that wherever he went he loved meeting new people, learning from them, and seeking ways to make their lives better. He was an eternally optimistic man and demonstrated that there is always room to show kindness and grace. He was thoughtful, calm, wickedly smart and hilariously funny. His greatest gift was empathy, which he used to connect with people and his faith. He went out of his way to ensure those he loved knew they were loved and that they were valuable.

Son of George Memory II and Elizabeth Mayfield Chapman, and predeceased by his beloved brother, the Rev. Edward (Bo) C. Chapman. George was born in Greensboro, NC , spent formative years in Lynchburg Virginia and held his southern heritage closely despite moving to New York when he was 4. He grew up in Bronxville, New York next door to Margie, his childhood sweetheart.

George began a career of service with the 7th Regiment, New York National Guard before leaving the military to enter the Episcopal Divinity School and his life with Margie as a clergy family. George's ministry began in Wilmington, Delaware at Immanuel Episcopal Church where he focused on Christian Education, and in collaboration with a core group of teens, launched a bi-weekly Coffee House, Grimslade, which drew up to 150 teens to the church on a regular basis to see performers such as George Thorogood and the Destroyers. George's ministry later led him to St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo, New York where he enjoyed ministering to a large and diverse congregation and continued to focus on Christian Education, expanding local efforts to include media development and involvement in diocesan and provincial affairs.

It was at St. Paul's Brookline that George lived his full calling. When he accepted the position in 1978, the sanctuary was a burned out shell but the residual congregation was united in the belief that the church had a unique mission. Using a skill developed while in the National Guard, George nurtured that belief into action by, as his sergeant commented: "being the only man I have ever seen who could control an infantry platoon by being a nice guy". A new building was built, but more importantly the mission was defined to expand beyond those walls by living the Gospel through an increased emphasis on supporting ministry projects outside the parish.

George loved his ministry: preaching, writing weekly newsletters, baptizing, marrying and burying, tending to the sick and needy, counseling and leading adult, children and young adult classes which together embodied his passions for law, journalism, politics, social work, teaching and writing. He led intergenerational groups to Honduras to build schools and water systems. He believed strongly in the power of faith, acceptance and tolerance and engaged deeply in interfaith collaboration. He brought his commitment to justice and equality to projects throughout his community, including leading the development of the Brookline Emergency food pantry and a documentary on Slavery in Brookline through the Human Relations/Youth Resources Hidden Brookline Committee.

George was a servant-leader, both at home and abroad. In Brookline he was an active member of Brookline Rotary, a longtime supporter of the Teen Center, on the Board of the Senior Center, a youth soccer coach and he shared his love for performance as a frequent contributor to the annual PTO play. Nationally and internationally, George took on work with the Veterans Affairs Human Rights Committee, and with the Diocese of Honduras through the Honduras Development Network. His longtime support of underserved communities in Honduras continued through his leadership establishing Good Healthy Smiles, a public/private partnership with the rural Government of Petoa to provide dental services to thousands of children and adults across the Municipality.

For respite George loved playing with his beloved dog, Woozle and retreating to his "camp" in western Maine, where the community, the calls of the loons and the barred owls soothed his soul. He also savored the people of Hull, MA where he enjoyed sailing his Beetle Cat, "Tallulah". Wherever he went he took such joy in life, in being with people, and with an eagerness to explore, learn and share with others.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul's Church (15 St Paul's St., Brookline MA) on Saturday, January 28th at 3pm. Visiting hours will be on Friday, January 27th from 3pm to 7pm in Bell-O'Dea Funeral Home (376 Washington St., Brookline, MA 02445).

In lieu of flowers, a perfect way to honor his legacy is to seek to demonstrate kindness every day. Donations in his memory can be made to:

St. Paul's Church, Brookline, MA (https://www.stpaulsbrookline.org/) Ministry Outside the Parish Committee or The Paine Fund

The Honduras Development Network (https://www.hondurasdevelopmentnetwork.org/

Good Healthy Smiles, 269 Cox St., Hudson, MA 02179 (http://missionshonduras.org/projects/) then click Projects, then on dental picture.