Obituary of Brendan "Chiz" M. Chellis

Chiz' Funeral Mass can be seen Live streamed at; https://masslivestream.com/churches/saintanthonyofpadua

Brendan M. Chellis

"Chiz"

May 26, 1966 – May 1, 2022

The world just got a lot smaller because we lost a brother, a friend, a warrior, a beacon of hope for so many, and an avid supporter of all things bacon!

Chiz took us all on this amazing journey that in many ways rose from the ashes of 9/11. When others would turn and run, or curse the madness in the world, Chiz made the best of a bad situation by committing himself to helping others coping with terror events. He reached out to other survivors and helped form what would eventually become the WTC Survivors Network. But he didn't stop there -- he reached out to the amazing survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing who comforted him, and grew stronger through Strength-to-Strength, an amazing group committed to supporting victims of terror around the world.

Then he took us on a far more personal journey as he battled pancreatic cancer. Where others would keep their ordeal private, he shared every step with us and he drew strength from everyone's kind words of encouragement. He got dealt one bad hand after another but still kept up the fight. Even in the final days of an endless cycle of pain and nausea he read your cards, your texts and Facebook posts for inspiration

We grew up in a family full of love, fun … and sarcasm, pranks and twisted forms of humor. We were always the house to come to for all the good times and even more so for the sad times. While we lost our brothers one by one, they were replaced a thousand fold by lifelong friends they made along the way. We are convinced that's why Chiz held out for the PanCAN Walk by the Chell's Angels Team he formed. He wanted to bring his extended family together to create yet another support group for the tough days we have ahead – and he left this world the following day to join Chell's Angels.

You are all so special to him and to our family for showering him with love when he needed it most!

We will be getting together for Chiz's send-off on May 6th (Visiting hours at Funeral Home 5:30pm - 9pm) & May 7th (Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church East Northport 9:15am) and it would give him such joy to see you sitting in Long Island traffic to come out to mark the occasion. Chiz asked that people wear Hawaiian shirts to the wake and formal attire (tux, ball gown, prom dress, etc) to the funeral service. Mets hats are optional depending on your denomination of baseball.

In lieu of flowers, make a donation in Brendan's honor to Strength to Strength, which supports victims of terror, at https://www.stosglobal.org/donate -- or checks can be made out to Strength to Strength and note "in memory of Brendan" in the memo. Mail donations to:

Strength to Strength

35 West 96th Street #7C

New York, NY 10025

Brendan "Chiz" is Loved by his brother Geoff and his wife Donna, his niece Cassie and his Nephew Brian and sister in-law Tracie. Brendan is predeceased by his Parents Margaret and Gerald and his brothers James and Gerald.