Chris Hall loved his life and lived it to the fullest. He was born September 17, 1950 and left us on December 21, 2014 following a long battle with Cancer.
Chris is survived by his loving wife, Pam Harknett; sister, Janice (Doug) Hemming; stepsons, Brock (Jane) and Drew Henson and grandchildren, Georgia and Annika Henson. Chris was a very loving husband, brother, stepfather and “Papa” to all.
He was a third generation Victorian and the son of Leon and Mildred Hall. He attended Margaret Jenkins Elementary, graduated from Oak Bay High in 1967 and attended the University of Victoria. On May 17, 1986, he married long time friend and fellow UVIC Vike, Pam Harknett. Chris retired from BC Buildings Corporation in 2005.
Chris cherished his summers at Shawnigan Lake, winters in Palm Desert and year round golf with his buddies at Uplands Golf Club. Attending major sporting events and concerts across North America were also passions for Chris.
Chris excelled in baseball, basketball, football, rugby and lacrosse. Through sports, he made many friendships that would last his entire life. In basketball, Chris played for the UVIC Vikes and later the Senior Men’s Scorpions and Datatech teams. In football, Chris was a receiver and kicker with the BC Football Conference Dolphins and was named to the all-time Victoria team. In rugby, Chris first played for Velox, then moved on to first division with the James Bay Athletic Association. In baseball, Chris was an infielder with the Victoria Senior Amateur All Stars and spent a year in the Southern Baseball League with Swift Current just prior to being drafted by the Boston Bolts of the National Lacrosse League in 1975.
From that point, Chris launched a storied career in lacrosse that would conclude with being recognized as one of the greatest coaches and mentors in the game. He spent nine years as a player and ten years as Head Coach of the Victoria Shamrocks, winning three Mann Cups along the way. In field lacrosse, Chris co-founded the Senior A Men’s Victoria Seasprays/Royal Waxmen Club that won 14 Ross Cup national championships. Chris was a defenseman with Canada’s National Field Lacrosse Team through three World Championships and was selected to the All World Team at the World Games in Los Angeles in 1984. He then went on to become Head Coach of the National field lacrosse team through two more World Championships. Chris also coached Team England in two world indoor box lacrosse championships.
Chris was named Head Coach of the National Lacrosse League Calgary Roughnecks in 2002 and won an NLL Championship. After six years in Calgary, he went on to become Head Coach of the San Jose Stealth and won another NLL title when the team moved to Washington in 2012, becoming only the second coach in the history of the league to win titles with two different teams.
Chris spent 12 years as a Head Coach in the National Lacrosse League, was a five-time All Star Game coach and retired this year as the 3rd all-time wins leader. He was nominated and won election as an NLL Hall of Fame inductee Class of 2014. Chris was also inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in October of 2014.
We will be celebrating Chris’ phenomenal life on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. in The Carson Room, Level 2, Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shamrocks Alumni University Scholarship program in memory of Chris Hall. Cheques payable to “Victoria Shamrock Alumni”, c/o 4174 Thornhill Crescent, Victoria BC, V8N 5E5.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
62 Responses
Hi Pam and family
I did not know Chris well but,Iam thinking about you all and I know your pain , but for me it is just one day at a time, some day when we get past our pain we will remember the good years that we had with our loved ones ,.Pam condolences to you and your family Deborah’s mom Helen
Pam and family, my thoughts are with you. Chris was a true leader in all he did. Much love,
Annette
Pam,
Chris was a remarkable man who could always make us feel welcome and like true friends.
As many have said Leon was a leader in what ever he laid his hand to, Chris has again shown us the way to accept challenges head on with dignity and grace, leading the way for us all to follow.
Chris’ life was well lived but way too short and his passing is a huge loss to us all.
We hope your memories of Chris and your time with him will comfort you in the days ahead.
Our deepest sympathies go out to you and all of the family,
Mike and Susan Gains
Hi Pam, Gail and I are thinking of you and your family. I have some great memories of Leon. (sorry have never quite been able to call him Chris)! As a youngster in Junior High I watched him play for the Chinooks at Central Jr. as well as at Oak Bay. Of course later was lucky enough to play with him for the Scorps and Data Tech. He was always good to me as the young guy and rookie and treated me as if I was just one of the boys. I have never forgotten that. We loved his laugh, his stories and his compassion. I am lucky to have known and played with him.
GB
Grew up with ‘Leon’ His dad always gave us jobs over xmas at the Post Office! Thats another story. I remember him for many things and many stories. One that always sticks out in my mind is a Football story! Victoria Dolphins! Every game and I mean every game the FIrst Play was ALWAYS Karpiuk to Hall, long. Leon would sprint as fast as he could down the field and Ter would drop back and launch the bomb. I would say it worked most of the time.
There are lots more of these! Remember the good things, life is much better!
RIP!
Mugs
Pam and family…heartfelt condolences.
A star is shining brightly now in the night sky.
To Pam and the family
My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time.
As you know Chris was a very special friend to me
He always treated me like Gold and I was so happy to see him when ever he came to visit me at the rink.
I was so proud to be his trainer and friend all these years when ever he needed me to.
I’m looking foreword to his celebration of life so we all can share his memory together
I know how much Chris loved you Pam and his family as well.
And I know during your relationship with CH
Pam, you both had great fun and lived your lives together to the fullest every day with love and passion.
I will miss CH tremendously and his memory will be with me forever in my heart.
Take good care of yourselves.
Hugs from DT
Dear Pam and family:
Chris was simply a wonderful guy! He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. Although no longer here in body – his spirit will live on. Rest in peace Chris, your battle is over.
Pam, we hope your many wonderful memories of your time together will sustain you in the difficult weeks and months ahead.
Love, Bev. & Gerry
Our thoughts are with you Pam and to all of those that are a part of Chris’s family. He will be missed by many.
Our world has lost an amazing person – Chris who gave so liberally of his time, talents and humanity . . . to so many people and to so many worthy pursuits!
Chris’ family and extended family all loved and adored him! Our family will keep them in our hearts and prayers during this very sad and difficult time . . . and in the lonely months ahead.