UPDATE: Friends & family bid emotional farewell to ‘Truckman’ Chapman
Chapman’s life came to a tragic and abrupt end when a motorcycle he was reportedly riding collided with a taxi bus on December 31, 2013 in the vicinity of Slaney.
Jo-vahn is survived by his parents, Sgt. Joseph A. Chapman Sr. and Wanda Joseph, four brothers and four sisters, as well as, numerous other relatives and friends.
The small church was unable to adequately accommodate the many that turned out to pay their final respects to the departed and accommodation had to be extended to the roadway, causing motorists to detour through alternate routes.
Several youths wore t-shirts decorated with images of Jo-vahn or his nickname, ‘Truckman’ in tribute to his memory as they tried valiantly to hold back the tears that came with the terrible loss of the former Elmore Stoutt High School student.
Tributes poured in from family members, friends and teachers who expressed regret and sadness at the sudden loss of Jo-vahn.
His father, Joseph A. Chapman Sr., said his son’s loss left a hole in his heart and noted that he never got the chance to say goodbye. Meanwhile, his mother, Wanda also expressed similar regret and related that she was still in shock at his passing.
Also in attendance at the service were Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn; First District Representative Hon. Andrew A. Fahie; Commissioner of Police Mr. David Morris; and Acting Principal of the Elmore Stoutt High School Mr. Wade W. Tobin, among other prominent members of society.
Interment of the body followed at the Donovan’s family cemetery in Carrot Bay. The funeral service was presided over by Pastor Howard J. Simon.
See previous story posted January 10, 2014:
Father of motor cycle accident victim – “Wear helmet it’s not too heavy”
- Lad to be buried on Sunday January 12, 2014 at Carrot Bay
CARROT BAY, Tortola, VI – In the midst of mourning the loss of his son to a motorcycle accident, Mr. Joseph A. Chapman has issued a soul deep call to persons especially youths, to wear a helmet when using motorcycles.
“I want to plead with you young people, even if your parents don’t know that you’re riding a motorcycle and you are doing it, I am appealing to you to wear a helmet, it’s not too heavy for your head wear it.”
This is an advice Mr. Chapman said that he wished he had the opportunity to give his son Jo-vahn Alex Chapman aka Truckman, who tragically lost his life in an accident on December 31, 2013.
Speaking exclusively with Virgin Islands News Online earlier today January 10, 2014, Mr. Chapman said that while he knew his son was a rude boy in some ways, he said his son was never rude to him and he had no idea he rode motorcycles.
“We try our best with our children, we teach them to be honest and open with us but children will be children and sometimes go out there and do things that we never expect them to do and that was the case with my son…I tell you the truth I never knew my son had ever set foot on a motorcycle until this (the accident) happened,” said the hurt father.
He said that he has fathered seven other children of his own all of whom have been very successful. “Look five of them have gone off on their own. I have the two in High School, one just out of the Navy, one in the Air force, one is a pilot and one works at Harneys. All my children including Jevorn were raised well despite what the people are saying out there, but children sometimes do things and in this case my son did and died.”
He noted that loosing his 17-year old son to a road accident, he intends to hold awareness sessions along with other parents in his community on road safety. “I don’t want another parent, friend, relative, peer to feel the pain I am feeling now so after the funeral I plan that I will go out there with others and hold awareness sessions,” said Mr. Chapman.
He said the funeral is set for Sunday January 12, 2014. The viewing and funeral service will commence at 9:00 through 11:00 hrs at the Carrot Bay Seventh Day Adventist Church followed by interment at the Donovan’s family cemetery in Carrot Bay. The funeral service will be presided over by Pastor Howard J. Simon.
“It’s hard for me, I really love my son, he was a good boy despite the rude part of him, I will miss my son we all will miss him. He followed peers and now he is gone from us, but we will get by, he is gone from us,” said the saddened father.
Jo-vahn A. Chapman was pronounced dead at Peebles Hospital on December 31, 2013 following a collision between a motor scooter he was riding and a taxi bus. Chapman reportedly suffered internal injuries and loss of blood before passing away. His dad confirmed today that he died as a result of head injuries and he had also suffered a broken foot.
Several persons, groups, organizations and institutions have since reached out to the family in several ways. Shane M. Winter, owner and founder member of ‘The Movement’ was among those. Mr. Winter told this news site that last weekend he held a Back to School event at his G Spot facility and funds raised were donated to the family to assist with funeral expenses.
“The youth was a very close friend of my son, they were really close. I thought in honour of that friendship that I should try to assist the family in whatever small way I can so I had the fund raiser and I give the cash to Chapee (Mr Chapman),” said Mr. Winter.
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22 Responses to “UPDATE: Friends & family bid emotional farewell to ‘Truckman’ Chapman”
There is a possible business idea for a local young person who looking things to do, a safety gear shop selling cool helmets, jackets, boots, and other safety things for all sports