Mark Chapman, 66, of Woodbury, Connecticut, passed away on September 5th, 2024. Mark was born to Phyllis Leavenworth (Chapman) Rianhard and the late Linwood Chapman on July 18, 1958, in Waterbury, Connecticut. After living and working as a chef in various places throughout the country, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California, Mark moved back to Woodbury and lived with his mother Phyllis and stepfather Thomas Rianhard III, and helped them take care of the house and surrounding property.

Mark found joy in Charlie Brown comics, in a good book, and in good music - ranging from Alicia Keys to Fleetwood Mac. Mark was an exceptional cook, putting together beautiful meals and making sure they were presented in the perfect way for loved ones on the average weekday and holidays alike. He loved an easygoing and meandering grocery shop, where he could discover, gather, and appreciate the best ingredients to create a meal. He also sourced ingredients from an abundant garden he tended to; his meals would often include a fresh lettuce, radish, cucumber, bell pepper, and tomato salad entirely sourced from the garden, as well as herbs that he would dry out to use as seasoning and to send to loved ones.

Mark was the most gentle and affectionate uncle to a niece and three nephews, providing a refuge away from the rest of the "boring adults" during family gatherings by letting them help him cook or explore in the backyard. In recent years, every morning between 6:00 and 7:00am, Mark would email a prayer to loved ones, greeting the day with gratitude and providing inspiration; an excerpt from the last of these emails is below:

James 4:8

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

Good morning our Heavenly Father.

This is the day that You have made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Every day with your blessings a gift to our lives.

We give you our thanks. You have given us this gift of life.

We ask humbly for Your blessings in today's endeavors.

In Jesus' name, we pray and believe,

Amen.

Mark is survived by his mother Phyllis Rianhard, stepfather Thomas Rianhard III, his sister Elizabeth Wong, his half-brother Thomas Rianhard IV, his niece Makena Wong, and his nephews, Thomas Rianhard V, Kailen Wong, and Kekoa Wong.

If you'd like to honor Mark, please make a donation to the Leavenworth Scholarship Fund ( Leavenworth Family Scholarship Fund ) at The Connecticut Community Foundation, The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition ( Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition ), or Flanders Nature Center ( Flanders Nature Center ).

To leave an online condolence please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.