The way he smiled

Amused by what he saw

Saddened by what he didn’t see

He knew what he saw

Because seeing is what he did

He saw life

Through the lens

His eyes were on the move

He asked questions

Tried to find answers

Mental illness seemed

To bewilder him

He never understood

How this could happen to people

How this could happen to his own family

He was there watching

Mixing images and knowledge

Learning

Making videos

Which passed on the information

That he learned

To other people

So they could learn

And, that is why there is

A Mental Illness Education Project

Because the images and knowledge of

Jack Churchill

-moe

- Marylou Sudders

- Fred and Penny Frese

Jack Churchill

A fine man
Strong and tall
A visionary
and a model for us all

Oh Jack, in your too brief tenure here
how many lives you have changed?
how many hearts have once again been filled with hope?
how many shadowed lives became full and rich once again?

Ahead of your time, perhaps
Or at just the right time
Your work will go on and on and on
In the spirit of thousands and millions of people

I will miss just knowing that you are here
But I will hold your light in my heart
And continue to spread the word
Into the souls of all who despair

- Mary Ellen Copeland

Here are some of my memories of the times I shared with Jack –

***

Jack took me to my first national NAMI convention. It was held at the Opryland hotel in Nashville TN – we were there to promote MIEP’s videos. Jack had rented a suite in order to hold screenings of the videos. Coincidentally his suite was next to NAMI’s suite at the hotel and there was a connecting door between the two. When we first walked through the suite, we walked through Jack’s suite as well as national NAMI’s suite, thinking that the entire space was just the suite that Jack had rented…I had never seen such a penthouse-like suite at a hotel, and boy was I impressed…

We also got lost several times at the Opryland hotel… there were long hallways about a mile long, confusing buildings, waterfalls in lobbies that started to look exactly like the last waterfall we just passed... after all the walking, we finally secured a wheel chair for Jack’s use. Being my first NAMI convention, it was terrific to be around people from all 50 states (and even from other countries) that had family members with mental illness - the sense of isolation, loneliness, and alienation that I felt when I learned about my sister’s diagnosis slowly started to melt away…

The connection with Jack and Lucia was a profound one for me because they were the first people I ever met or talked with who were comfortable discussing mental illness in the open and who were such engaging, dynamic people…

***

Jack and Lucia invited me to screen the videotape featuring Bonnie’s sister…I remember that after the tape was finished, I sat there and cried..I was speechless and didn’t have words, only tears. The tape had touched on the hot-button issues for me that I didn’t even know I had until I heard Bonnie’s sister speaking. There was the guilt, the shame, the attempts to be the perfect daughter, the fear that you had somehow contributed to the mental illness… all of it was there in the video and it was a significant part of my coming to terms with my sister’s psychiatric condition.

***

I remember that Jack had a lot of favorite restaurants in Boston/Cambridge, and he would always get to know the waitresses at his favorite hang out spots. I asked him for his restaurant recommendations a lot, and also got to try several places that I ordinarily wouldn’t have known about without Jack. I believe that Jack had purchased artwork from a waitress that he had met. Jack had a great sense of humanity about it, and took a genuine interest in a wide range of people.

***

I visited Codman Point a couple of times with Jack and Lucia… it is so beautiful there… I remember going to buy fresh fish, going sailing with Fred and Emily, getting fresh oysters, just having a perfectly relaxing and picture-perfect weekend there… seeing and appreciating the architecture, the natural beauty of the place, the conversations and discussions, feeling so at ease.

***

I appreciated Jack’s creativity and his attraction to other creative people… remembering the painted walls of the MIEP office…

***

I remember Jack telling me about how he had to escape from the rehab facility that he was sent to after one of his hospitalizations. The rehab place sucked, and Jack wanted to get out of there as soon as possible and he walked away AMA (against medical advice)…I hope that if I am ever stuck in a bad rehab facility I will have the courage and means to follow his example. My boyfriend’s mom was placed at a nursing home towards the end of her life and one of my big regrets is that we didn’t just say, damn it all, you are leaving this god-forsaken-place and coming home.

***

After I bought a condo in South Boston, I invited Jack over to dinner and he got lost on the way there due to detours caused by the Big Dig…I remember thinking that if Jack of all people could get lost in Boston after having lived here for so many years, then anyone could and would get lost as well….

***

I remember the videotape stuffing parties at his Brookline condo, with Bertucci’s pizza, people gathered together talking, sharing, having a good time

Jack had a special of way of listening, sharing his views on the world, and making you feel like your ideas counted and were important to him. He saw potential in people when you didn’t see potential in yourself. He advised me about my love life, about taking my first job in the mental health field, listened when I was frustrated with something about work, or frustrated with my family members. It’s rare to find someone that you can be honest and genuine with, share a “soulful connection” with, and I miss him.

- Jennifer Tripp

I am so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a support group for family members of the mentally ill held at Metropolitan State Hospital in the early 80's. He was a beacon of light in the group and a great visionary of hope.

Over the years, I've been reading about Jack's accomplishments through the AMI newsletter and feel honored to have known him. AMI (and I) will miss him greatly.

Sincerely,
Les Helff

A most heartfelt appreciation to you for all you have done especially for you and Mary having beautiful children, lifelong friends and family of the Earth, you have made December 25th a significant date. Thank you

- Norio

I met Jack in the 1980s through our work together in a community video organization. I couldn’t believe that someone who started the Flaherty Film Seminars was willing to volunteer on the board! A friendship quickly grew.
A few years later, Jack was instrumental in coaching me to work through to completion on my video Lost Pond, spending many days editing with me and helping me to focus the many strands of the narrative.
I thank Jack for involving me in the early stages of the Mental Illness Education Project. I thank him for what he taught me about mental illness, especially in the context of families and loved ones. I thank him for the wonderful experience of working on the shoots for the Bonnie Tapes.
I am grateful to Jack for the years of friendship, for acquainting me with his lovely and talented children and grandchildren, for inviting my family to memorable Codman Point visits, for the hearty and abundant laughter, the books shared, the advice given and received so graciously. Jack quickly saw the gem in everyone (or the scoundrel, too, if present). Jack’s limitless gift for seeing creative potential in people, and his faith in me, are gifts I’ll treasure forever.


- Carol Kowalski

I regret not telling Jack that seeing his film, "Seifritz on Biology" at Cinema 16 in the 1950's was one of the reasons I went into science film making.

- Richard Bergman

Jack was an inspiration to us--kind and dignified--as we faced our son’s mental illness and ensuing difficulties. If Jack could lead a normal life with a mentally ill son, so could we. When we felt “down” at one point, Jack said it wasn’t fair to the ill person to cast a negative light on the illness. Jack was compassionate to both family members and consumers.

We met Jack when we became members of the Cambridge-Middlesex affiliate of NAMI. Jack welcomed us into the supportive NAMI family. Attending meetings, we were impressed by the programs he put together. We were moved when several siblings spoke about their experiences. He brought in interesting and sometimes controversial speakers. Then there were his films… the ones about families echoed our experience. And Jack kept making films and expanding his knowledge and ours on mental illness.

Our NAMI affiliate continues as an active, growing chapter. Jack was a leader and one of the founding members of the Cambridge-Middlesex affiliate. We miss him.

- Jane and Tom Martin

Thanks to all who attended the memorial service today, and thanks also to those of you who couldn't but are visiting this site.

- Bill Churchill

I remember Jack fondly from his work with my father at the old ESI in Watertown, and lovely visits to Buzzards bay in the mid 60's. He wrote me a college recommendation letter back then.
My appreciation for such thoughtful, committed people has only increased as I age. My best wishes and condolences.


- Coin Page

Fondly remembered

- Cam (and Eleanor)

I had the privilege of working with Jack as he shaped and molded MIEP. And I had the great good fortune of playing with Jack too, at Codman Point and elsewhere. His spirit of fun, his open mind and heart, his skill at making martinis and navigating currents -- these were all blessings to me. I am grateful for the love and generosity that he and his family showed me.

- Emily

Jack was a great man and a great friend. He was my mentor, my second dad. He opened up his heart and his home to me. I loved him dearly. I will always hold a special place for him in my heart. He was a great listener. He was so patient, and kind. The advice he gave was gentle and loving. I remember the times we shared at Codman Point, the wine, the beach, the fires in the fireplace and the conversation. I will remember him and always love him. Bonnie

- Bonnie Twomey

How do I remember Jack?

I remember him as a man of compassion, a seeker of truth, a charmer, and a lover of fine, French food. He was the one who shaped my life’s work. He was the friend who helped me find again the wonderful brother that I thought I had lost to schizophrenia. He helped me go beyond my own grief and loneliness and witness the transformation of so many others who also battled with mental illness. The Mental Illness Education Project became my safe haven, not to mention Kent Street and Codman Point. I am grateful to have shared so much with Phred and Bill and Jean and hope to continue that connection. I can think of no greater honor than to be entrusted to continue Jack’s vision through the MIEP. Thank you Jack, for your limitless spirit and joie de vivre! Love, Lucia

- Lucia Miller

Jack Churchill Memorial Page | Memorial Service Information | MIEP/Donation Information