1946-2024
It is with broken hearts we got our final fist pump and thumbs up on Friday, May 24, 2024. Chris passed peacefully with his Son Adam by his side. Chris was the second youngest of 11 children born to John and Clazina on April 15, 1946.
He looked up to his brothers and sisters and was proud of all his 48 nieces and nephews. He married the love of his life Jean in 1974. Together they began building a very special family of their own. So proudly together they welcomed their 3 children; Saundra, Adam (Brigitte) and Oliva (Mark).
Mom and Dad raised their family in a home filled with love, laughter and strength. Family was always first and Chris’ priority. After 17 years of marriage, sadly Chris lost his adoring wife Jean to Cancer. Our Dad was left with the incredible task and courage to raise all 3 of us on his own. He was determined to create the best life he could for us, and he did an astonishing job. He was Mr. Mom, he loved that title. He never took a day off. He was the best Father we could have ever asked for. He was so incredibly proud of his Grandchildren, Joey (Alejandra), Jessie, Jacob, Cal, Alexander, Evan and Audrina.
He loved sharing stories about how great they all were doing in school, sports or their careers. He was happiest around them. Opa was recently honoured with the Great Opa status, along with new bragging rights with the birth of his Great- granddaughter Amelia and thankful for the early arrival of his Great-grandson Parker (who he got to meet just this past week). Chris was a member of the CNIB, and we are forever grateful for the services he received from them on a weekly basis and during his hospital stays. We are so thankful for the intervenors who visited with Dad, kept him up to date on the news, listened to his stories, played Crib with him and most importantly helped to make his long days more enjoyable with their company and friendships. We were all truly blessed with the most amazing PSW Buena Buena, you, without knowing, have saved our father's life countless times with your care, compassion and love.
Thank you for all that you did for him and the time you took to visit him this past week while in hospital. To all the staff at St. Catharines General, you made this past week filled with so much care, compassion and empathy, thank you. To the Henley House where our Dad called home and took his final breath, we are incredibly grateful for all the care, love and dignity you provided our Father. He may at times may have been blunt and had no filter but he was at peace there and felt well loved and cared for, we thank you. To our family and friends who have walked with us on this emotional journey over these past decades, we can not thank each and everyone of you enough for standing by our side when times were challenging. Dad knew how to keep us on our toes and we fought so many battles for him and with him. This one was just his time, his time to go and be at peace knowing his children are going to proudly carry on his legacy. He will forever be in our hearts and are at peace knowing he was reunited with our Mom. As a family we will all carry on the lessons in life he taught us, forever our Dad… May you rest in peace and dance to the music.
A Funeral Mass will take place at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 7, 2024 at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, 73 Picton Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Chris will be laid to rest at Niagara Lakeshore Cemetery 1483 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Immediately following the cemetery, Friends and Family are welcome to celebrate Chris’ legacy at Henley Island which is located on Henley Island Drive, Port Dalhousie.
Memorial donations to Niagara Warehouse of Hope or The Deafblind Community Services, would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca
