It is with profound sadness and a heart full of gratitude that I write to you today about the passing of Paul Chandler—a giant upon whose shoulders I have been so fortunate to stand, and a man whose legacy is quilted into the very fabric of our mission and this community.

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Paul served as BMS Board Chairman from 1991 to 2023—thirty-two years of unwavering dedication, vision, and servant leadership. His contributions earned him a Citation from the United States Congress and Proclamations from both the City and State of New York. But Paul's true measure was never in the awards he received; it was in the lives he transformed, the communities he uplifted, and the hope he relentlessly championed.

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Paul Chandler was a pillar of Brownsville—a title he earned not through position, but through presence. He was there in the early 1970s when our community faced the compounding crises of inadequate healthcare, the HIV-AIDS pandemic, substance abuse, and obesity. While others saw statistics, Paul saw neighbors. While others saw problems, Paul saw possibilities.

With the encouragement of Father John Powis, Father Peyton, and Deacon Joseph K. Francois, Paul joined the volunteer efforts that would forever change our community.

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These weren't just meetings and planning sessions—this was sacred work born of conviction. Paul believed with every fiber of his being that residents of underserved communities deserved access to systems that support their total health and wellness. He believed our neighbors deserved dignity, care, and the tools to build healthier futures for themselves and their families.

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Those volunteer efforts became the foundation of what we now know as the Brownsville Community Development Corporation—our BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers. Every patient we serve, every life we touch, every barrier we break down stands on the foundation Paul helped build with his own hands and heart.

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Even after decades of service, Paul never stopped. He remained a sought-after voice, counseling community leaders, sitting on boards of active community outreach organizations, and tirelessly working to make a profound difference in growth, education, health, and wellness.

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His advocacy was not a phase—it was his life's calling.

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To us, Paul's staff and colleagues, he leaves an inheritance far greater than any award: he leaves us his example. He showed us that real leadership is measured in sacrifice, that true advocacy requires showing up year after year, and that lasting change comes from unwavering conviction in the dignity and potential of every person.

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As we grieve this tremendous loss, let us also celebrate the giant we were blessed to know. Let us honor Paul by continuing the work he started—with the same passion, the same commitment, and the same unshakeable belief that our community deserves nothing less than our very best.

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Paul Chandler built more than an organization. He built a movement. He built hope. And he built it on love.

Rest in power, Mr. Chairman. Your shoulders will carry us forward still.​