“Old soul” approached life with humor, wit, empathy and an arsenal of relevant film references 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 re lentless 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… ...read more read less