Obituary: Brian C. Chase, 35, Fisherman, Loved the Ocean

Brian Charles Chase, 35, passed away suddenly on Monday, May 5th, 2014. He was born on August 12th, 1978, in Newport, Rhode Island. He was the son of James G. and Catherine “Katie” (Schanil) Chase of Portsmouth, RI. Brian was a resident of Portsmouth, graduating from Portsmouth High School and earning his Able-Bodied Seaman license from Northeast Maritime.

While Brian may have had a mailing address on land, he spent every moment he could on the water. Offshore Commercial Fishing or Ocean Going Tugs, Brian traversed time zones, the equator and Oceans, passing through the Panama Canal on his most recent trip. Brian's love for the ocean was matched only by his love for his family and close friends.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his two sisters, Karie Bartnick and her husband Dan of Conway, NH; Kristine M. Chase and her husband Charles Oei of Granger, IN. His two brothers, James G. Chase Jr. and his wife Logan of Block Island, and Kevin M. Chase and his fiancé Meghan Rice of North Kingstown, RI.  He is survived by his nieces, Marin, Lilyanna and Kasey and nephew, Nathan.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport, RI.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, May 14, at St. Augustin’s Church, Carroll Avenue in Newport.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s name may be made to Sail to Prevail, Inc. P.O. Box 1264 Newport, RI 02840, www.sailtoprevail.org/support.