Chris J. Christopher, 59
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Chris John Christopher, 59, of 205 East Quincy St. died Sunday, April 28, 2013, at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center after heroically fighting a long battle with cancer.
Born in Cyprus in the village of Kyrenia on Oct. 18, 1953, a son of John and Crystalla Hassapis Christopher, he attended North Shore Community College, graduating in 1974. He obtained his bachelor's degree in economics from Boston University in 1976 and his master's of business administration from Western New England College in 1984.
Mr. Christopher was employed for many years with Aramark as a manager of environmental services. He worked at many hospitals, including North Adams Regional Hospital and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, and at Hillcrest Educational Centers. He was last employed at Albany Medical Center.
He was an active member of First Congregation Church and a member of its Buildings and Grounds Committee. He and his wife, the former Caoilfhionn Antrim, also managed several rental properties in the area.
He was a dedicated and devoted husband and father. Although small in stature, he had a giant personality, said family, and was best known for his warm, friendly and smiling ways. He was an eternal optimist. He also enjoyed restoring new life to old or broken things. Most of all, he enjoyed attending his children's games and sharing times with his close-knit family.
Besides his wife, whom he married on July 14, 1974, in Lynn, he leaves three daughters, Fiona Christopher and her husband, Kevin Sullivan, of San Francisco, Siobhan Christopher of Oakland, Calif., and Tehya Christopher of North Adams; four sons, Aaron Christopher and Keegan Christopher, both of North Adams; Seth Christopher and his wife, Charlotte, of Pittsfield and Caleb Christopher of Williamstown; a sister, Dina Chamatsos and her husband, John, of Peabody; and five grandchildren, Chase Christopher, who resided with him, Elliana, Autumn and Quentin Christopher, all of Pittsfield, and Lilly Christopher of Williamstown.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Christopher will be Friday, May 3, at 1 p.m. at First Congregational Church of North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Friday from 11 to 1 at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or his children's education fund in care ofFlynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, 74 Marshall St, North Adams, MA 01247.