Condolence: To the Chapman Family....so sorry about John's passing. I just found out today from a posting to GIPP alumni. I knew John from his work in juvenile justice over the years. Although I did not know him well, he was very helpful and supportive of me and I will always be grateful for that. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Condolence: Please accept my condolences on your loss. I met John several times through his involvement in with a group of us within Child Psychiatry at UConn. He was such a kind, humble, and bright man, who dedicated himself to improving the outcomes of vulnerable youth who often have no voices. He will be missed.

Condolence: My deepest sympathy to John's family. He will be truly be missed. Hold onto the wonderful memories of him and that will help you thru these most difficult days ahead.

Condolence: The world has lost one of those bright souls who made a difference for the better. I valued his gentleness, common sense and ability to achieve the goals he set. I admired the courage with which he faced hardship. I will miss him as an advocate for children. My profound condolences go out to his Family: I hope you realize now, even if you did not previously, in what high esteem John was held by all those who had the privilege of coming into contact with him.

Condolence: When I first heard of John's passing I was stunned and so sad that we had all lost a gentle and committed person who loved children and advocated for those who so often are passed by or thought of poorly. John was a quiet force who through his consistency and kindness persuaded so many to think of the young people and to disregard the obstacles of politics, money and capricious public opinion. We have all lost an important soul in this world and I am thankful that his family shared John with us.

Condolence: I was very saddened to hear about the passing of John. He was just a lovely man. He was always kind and thoughtful and so compassionate about his work. He gave me a few great golf tips along the way as well! He will be missed.

Condolence: I had the good fortune of being able to work with and learn from John early on in my career in juvenile justice. It was obvious from the moment that I met him that John cared deeply about the well-being of at-risk youth and wanted to keep improving the way agencies served children and families. John was always ready to ask the tough questions. More importantly, he was eager to put in the extra time and effort to answer them. I know that John's work has improved the lives of children in Connecticut and throughout the country. I am so very sad to lose John as a colleague, but I am so grateful for the time that I was able to learn from him.

Condolence: John was genuine in every way. Sincere in his relations with others and in his passion to help kids. No hidden agenda and no big ego. Just a worker who tried to do his best. I valued his advice so much. I have memories of the many times he came into my office with a request to authorize funds for special services he needed to help the children in our system. And all the times that judges would seek his counsel so that their decisions would truly be in the best interests of children. He leaves a lot behind but for all us who knew him and had the pleasure to work with him side by side, he leaves us much richer from the example he set and the experience he gave us. There may be no monuments to him or large buildings with his name on it. But his work is etched in our hearts and in the lives of so many kids whom he guided to a better life.

Condolence: I was so saddened to hear of John's passing. I met John 7 years ago as an early graduate student and he was one of the most supportive, helpful and kind people I have ever worked with. I always looked forward to connecting with him when I could-- he was always curious, gracious and had a wonderful sense of humor. Please know he will be in my thoughts, and please accept my deepest sympathies.

Condolence: Words cannot express my sadness in learning of John's passing. We are the same age and met early on in our careers. What always struck me most was his kind heart and compassionate nature toward children and youth. He worked hard at his vocation and what I believe to be his calling in life. He made a positive difference in the lives of many including my own. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to know him all of these years. Please accept my condolences and prayers. He was a wonderful man.

Condolence: It's hard to know what to say, except that John will be missed. No time on earth is long enough to share with those we love. May words of comfort rest gently upon your hearts today, and in time may they become words of healing. In sympathy. Joe and Gail Vernali