In
the early morning of Friday, March 21, 2025, a piece of our hearts
was taken, as we lost a father, partner, son, brother, nephew, uncle
and dear friend to the relentless battle of addiction. He fought
tirelessly to rise above this turmoil, a burden that began with
OxyContin prescribed in his teenage years following invasive surgery.
Devastatingly, he was denied the chance to truly conquer it.
Chris
was born on a fall day, October 29, 1985, son of Judy Cheeseman and
Garth Viens, in Burlington, Vt. He was embraced in love from the
moment he opened his eyes. Raised in Burlington, he graduated from
Burlington High School in 2004, where he forged deep bonds and
friendships that remained steadfast until his final breath.
After
graduation, Chris explored various career paths, pursuing his
passions and seeking his place in the world, always with a dedicated
spirit. He embraced opportunities that allowed him to travel, connect
with others and experience life’s beauty. Addiction was a shadow that
danced in and out of his life and was met with fierce resistance. He
achieved periods of hard-won sobriety, getting to build a life he
cherished with his partner, Cailin, and found his greatest joy in his
daughter, Scarlett Rose Belval, born on a fall day, November 1, 2019.
He
was a natural father and “girl dad” whose love mirrored the
adoration he received as the first nephew and grandson and the
fatherly care he gave his youngest sister. This was a time of peace,
for him and our family, a testament to his strength and the love that
surrounded him.
Despite
life’s inevitable challenges, Chris maintained his sobriety for seven
years, raising his “wolf cub” and embracing family life. He was
the most beloved and fun uncle to his four nephews, Lucas, Jaxon,
Miles and Henry. Unexpectedly, after a series of family tragedies,
the demons he fought so hard to contain resurfaced. He battled
valiantly for the past year and a half, but the chains of his
affliction, forged over years, proved too heavy to bear. We never
ceased to believe in his ability to return to that place of peace,
and our hearts are shattered that he will not have that chance.
While
we are honest about the impact of this tragic epidemic, we want
Chris’ memory to be defined by the vibrant love he shared and the
wonderful human he was.
Chris
was a safe haven of kindness. An old soul with a deep empathy, he
approached life with a thoughtful, philosophical perspective, always
seeking to find meaning in his day-to-day and in his dreams. He
listened with genuine intention and was a trusted confidant. His love
was profound and his loyalty unwavering. He was always ready to offer
help, sharing all he could give. All who loved him wished he was able
to offer himself the same love and guidance he extended to us all.
His
humor was a constant spark, his wit quick and his arsenal of relevant
film references endless. A true ’90s kid, he cherished the simple
joys of those days: OG gaming systems, comics and anime. He was a
collector of swords and comic collectibles and loved a fresh pair of
Nikes. Music resonated deeply with him, a constant companion
throughout his days, spanning all genres, especially ’90s hip-hop,
electronic and indie tracks.
He
was playfully known for his “wolflike” hair, which he could style
in impressive and entertaining ways, and his ability to grow a
champion-level beard. We will miss his awesome hairdos, his smile and
his kind hazel-blue eyes.
Most
of all, we will miss the irreplaceable essence of him, the love he
shared and the profound impact he had on our lives. A mass will be
held at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Winooski, Vt., on Thursday,
March 27, 2025, 11:30 a.m., with a celebration of life to follow,
details TBD.
Christopher
is survived by his partner, Cailin Radigan, and daughter, Scarlett
Belval, of Albany, N.Y.; his mother, Judy Cheeseman, of Essex
Junction, Vt.; his stepmother, Jennifer Viens, of Silverhill, Ala.;
his sisters, Heather (Shane) Viens Barber of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and
Casey (Matthew) Masse of Milton, Vt.; and a multitude of loving
aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by
his father, Garth Viens; his maternal grandmother, Norma Belval; and
his paternal grandparents, Lyman and Janice Viens.
This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2025.
Very well said. I always considered him a life like friend. The kind of guy who even if you haven’t seen in years you could talk to like you saw him yesterday.