Christopher John Campanella, 17, died July 2, 2007.
He was born May 5, 1990, in Cody, and then moved to Centennial, Colo., in 1998. He lived with his parents John and Donna, and sister Melissa.
Chris' life was filled with adventure - starting with an air ambulance trip from Cody to Denver when he was one week old. From the beginning he faced incredible challenges - uncontrolled seizures, numerous surgeries, varied medical diagnoses, and not being able to get around or talk like most people.
Despite these challenges, Chris lived life with grace, determination and phenomenal strength. Those who were honored to know Chris remember his contagious smile and laugh. He was a catalyst for change - helping to motivate fundraising for a new preschool building, advocating for pediatric therapy services where there were few before, increasing awareness, and forcing people to believe in possibilities.
There were many great doctors, nurses, therapists, caregivers and teachers who were part of the Chris Team. Early in his life it became apparent he gave to all of them as much as he received. He was a master teacher who forced a new look at challenges.
He followed his own rule book that often was different than the medical journals. Through it all, he caught people in his spell. The list of those touched by him is long and impressive.
In the traditional sense Chris was severely disabled, but he was more able than most in the ways that really matter. His greatest ability was to communicate love to all, even those who might not easily be penetrated. This gift of love is one that everyone remembers.
Even though he never walked or talked, he traveled and communicated masterfully, conveying his wisdom and humor with his "talker" or simply through his presence. He went coast to coast from Los Angeles Children's Hospital to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Md., to beaches, mountain tops, lakes and gardens.
During the summer Chris loved going to the Rocky Mountain Village Easter Seals Talking With Technology Camp. One of his favorite activities was the zip line. He wasn't a big fan of fishing. The night before he died he went to the late movie, "Live Free or Die Hard."
He is survived by his parents, sister, grandparents George and Colleen Campanella, aunts and uncles Kathy (Mark) Williams Stordahl, John (Ellen) Williams, Bob Williams, Jerry (Cathy) Williams, Greg Campanella, and Bruce Campanella, and 10 cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Don and Fay Williams.
A memorial celebration was held at Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Aurora, Colo., on July 10. Interment will be at Philbrook Cemetery in Utica, Mont., at 4 p.m. July 13.
People may gather before interment at the Kathy Stordahl residence, 309 2nd Ave. East, Hobson, Mont., to receive directions to the cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Easter Seals Colorado, 5755 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, Colo., 80226.
He was born May 5, 1990, in Cody, and then moved to Centennial, Colo., in 1998. He lived with his parents John and Donna, and sister Melissa.
Chris' life was filled with adventure - starting with an air ambulance trip from Cody to Denver when he was one week old. From the beginning he faced incredible challenges - uncontrolled seizures, numerous surgeries, varied medical diagnoses, and not being able to get around or talk like most people.
Despite these challenges, Chris lived life with grace, determination and phenomenal strength. Those who were honored to know Chris remember his contagious smile and laugh. He was a catalyst for change - helping to motivate fundraising for a new preschool building, advocating for pediatric therapy services where there were few before, increasing awareness, and forcing people to believe in possibilities.
There were many great doctors, nurses, therapists, caregivers and teachers who were part of the Chris Team. Early in his life it became apparent he gave to all of them as much as he received. He was a master teacher who forced a new look at challenges.
He followed his own rule book that often was different than the medical journals. Through it all, he caught people in his spell. The list of those touched by him is long and impressive.
In the traditional sense Chris was severely disabled, but he was more able than most in the ways that really matter. His greatest ability was to communicate love to all, even those who might not easily be penetrated. This gift of love is one that everyone remembers.
Even though he never walked or talked, he traveled and communicated masterfully, conveying his wisdom and humor with his "talker" or simply through his presence. He went coast to coast from Los Angeles Children's Hospital to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Md., to beaches, mountain tops, lakes and gardens.
During the summer Chris loved going to the Rocky Mountain Village Easter Seals Talking With Technology Camp. One of his favorite activities was the zip line. He wasn't a big fan of fishing. The night before he died he went to the late movie, "Live Free or Die Hard."
He is survived by his parents, sister, grandparents George and Colleen Campanella, aunts and uncles Kathy (Mark) Williams Stordahl, John (Ellen) Williams, Bob Williams, Jerry (Cathy) Williams, Greg Campanella, and Bruce Campanella, and 10 cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Don and Fay Williams.
A memorial celebration was held at Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Aurora, Colo., on July 10. Interment will be at Philbrook Cemetery in Utica, Mont., at 4 p.m. July 13.
People may gather before interment at the Kathy Stordahl residence, 309 2nd Ave. East, Hobson, Mont., to receive directions to the cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Easter Seals Colorado, 5755 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, Colo., 80226.
Christopher John Campanella, 17, died July 2, 2007.
He was born May 5, 1990, in Cody, and then moved to Centennial, Colo., in 1998. He lived with his parents John and Donna, and sister Melissa.
Chris' life was filled with adventure - starting with an air ambulance trip from Cody to Denver when he was one week old. From the beginning he faced incredible challenges - uncontrolled seizures, numerous surgeries, varied medical diagnoses, and not being able to get around or talk like most people.
Despite these challenges, Chris lived life with grace, determination and phenomenal strength. Those who were honored to know Chris remember his contagious smile and laugh. He was a catalyst for change - helping to motivate fundraising for a new preschool building, advocating for pediatric therapy services where there were few before, increasing awareness, and forcing people to believe in possibilities.
There were many great doctors, nurses, therapists, caregivers and teachers who were part of the Chris Team. Early in his life it became apparent he gave to all of them as much as he received. He was a master teacher who forced a new look at challenges.
He followed his own rule book that often was different than the medical journals. Through it all, he caught people in his spell. The list of those touched by him is long and impressive.
In the traditional sense Chris was severely disabled, but he was more able than most in the ways that really matter. His greatest ability was to communicate love to all, even those who might not easily be penetrated. This gift of love is one that everyone remembers.
Even though he never walked or talked, he traveled and communicated masterfully, conveying his wisdom and humor with his "talker" or simply through his presence. He went coast to coast from Los Angeles Children's Hospital to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Md., to beaches, mountain tops, lakes and gardens.
During the summer Chris loved going to the Rocky Mountain Village Easter Seals Talking With Technology Camp. One of his favorite activities was the zip line. He wasn't a big fan of fishing. The night before he died he went to the late movie, "Live Free or Die Hard."
He is survived by his parents, sister, grandparents George and Colleen Campanella, aunts and uncles Kathy (Mark) Williams Stordahl, John (Ellen) Williams, Bob Williams, Jerry (Cathy) Williams, Greg Campanella, and Bruce Campanella, and 10 cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Don and Fay Williams.
A memorial celebration was held at Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Aurora, Colo., on July 10. Interment will be at Philbrook Cemetery in Utica, Mont., at 4 p.m. July 13.
People may gather before interment at the Kathy Stordahl residence, 309 2nd Ave. East, Hobson, Mont., to receive directions to the cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Easter Seals Colorado, 5755 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, Colo., 80226.
He was born May 5, 1990, in Cody, and then moved to Centennial, Colo., in 1998. He lived with his parents John and Donna, and sister Melissa.
Chris' life was filled with adventure - starting with an air ambulance trip from Cody to Denver when he was one week old. From the beginning he faced incredible challenges - uncontrolled seizures, numerous surgeries, varied medical diagnoses, and not being able to get around or talk like most people.
Despite these challenges, Chris lived life with grace, determination and phenomenal strength. Those who were honored to know Chris remember his contagious smile and laugh. He was a catalyst for change - helping to motivate fundraising for a new preschool building, advocating for pediatric therapy services where there were few before, increasing awareness, and forcing people to believe in possibilities.
There were many great doctors, nurses, therapists, caregivers and teachers who were part of the Chris Team. Early in his life it became apparent he gave to all of them as much as he received. He was a master teacher who forced a new look at challenges.
He followed his own rule book that often was different than the medical journals. Through it all, he caught people in his spell. The list of those touched by him is long and impressive.
In the traditional sense Chris was severely disabled, but he was more able than most in the ways that really matter. His greatest ability was to communicate love to all, even those who might not easily be penetrated. This gift of love is one that everyone remembers.
Even though he never walked or talked, he traveled and communicated masterfully, conveying his wisdom and humor with his "talker" or simply through his presence. He went coast to coast from Los Angeles Children's Hospital to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Md., to beaches, mountain tops, lakes and gardens.
During the summer Chris loved going to the Rocky Mountain Village Easter Seals Talking With Technology Camp. One of his favorite activities was the zip line. He wasn't a big fan of fishing. The night before he died he went to the late movie, "Live Free or Die Hard."
He is survived by his parents, sister, grandparents George and Colleen Campanella, aunts and uncles Kathy (Mark) Williams Stordahl, John (Ellen) Williams, Bob Williams, Jerry (Cathy) Williams, Greg Campanella, and Bruce Campanella, and 10 cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Don and Fay Williams.
A memorial celebration was held at Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Aurora, Colo., on July 10. Interment will be at Philbrook Cemetery in Utica, Mont., at 4 p.m. July 13.
People may gather before interment at the Kathy Stordahl residence, 309 2nd Ave. East, Hobson, Mont., to receive directions to the cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Easter Seals Colorado, 5755 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, Colo., 80226.
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