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
Thanks for the memories, our heart goes out to you Pam.
Pam, our thoughts are with you. Chris was a joy to be around. Victoria has lost a great man. May he rest in peace.
While I have not seen Chris since our senior basketball days in the 70’s, I followed his career with interest. I am sad for his family and friends who have lost a loved one. I am sad, too, that his massive contribution to sport has ended. May he rest in peace.
There’s a lot of golfers that will miss Chris’s grin around the Uplands! He will be remembered for that and his great sense of humour!
He fought a courageous battle.
Pam:
Our thoughts are with you and your family in this difficult time. We are confident that the love you have for Chris will remain undiminished and that it will sustain you over time.
Fred and Eleanor
What can I say about Chris Hall that hasn’t already been said. …When he worked at BCBC he was the BEST boss ever! and I know that those who worked for/with him can contest to that….not only was he supportive, he was approachable…he knew that there was life outside of work and all the priorities that came with it. His priorities and passions were always his family, lacrosse and just people in general…amongst his and Pam’s busy life, they always made time to make an appearance or attend a gathering that was important to the inviteses…so thank you Pam for sharing your time with Chris, with others — everybody wanted a piece of him because he was truly one of the good guys, genuine to the core.
Chris will be a fond memory to all those who crossed his path…. and I know he will continue to guide and lead others to their full potential and greater successes as he watches down upon us.
My heart felt condolences to you, Pam and family…..you are now the living legend of the late great Chris Hall.
Hugs Pam….Terri xo
I was a season ticket holder for the Arizona Sting from 2005-2007. I first met Mr. Hall when he was with Calgary Roughnecks and they came up to the (then) Lexus Club for post game drinks and mingling with fans.
I had a 1975 Boston Bolts program that he was in and when word got around to Mr. Hall I had it he wanted to see it and he immediately signed it for me and started talking about the “old days.” He had also signed my 2004 Roughnecks Locker Room Champions shirt also.
Now, I never picked up a lacrosse stick, but Mr. Hall will always be in my thoughts forever because after those meetings, he always had a bear hug for me, and more often than not, it was from behind. When I’d see the arms, I knew who it was. He also had a smile that could light up the night sky, nevermind whatever room he was in.
Godspeed, Chris.
Jason DEBAUN
Glendale, AZ
Our thoughts go out to you at this sad time.
I was very lucky to get to know Chris when he coached the England Indoor team, it was a privilege and an honour. He taught us all so much and immediately made everyone feel at ease. I will miss him next year in Buffalo. English Lacrosse and everyone who met him will miss him dearly.
Steve cluney
Hi Pam,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. So many good stories many have to share. I especially admired CH’s leadership qualities and his competiveness to succeed. Whether it was when he played or when he coached it was always with full commitment. He made others around him better. He has done so much for lacrosse and will be greatly missed.
Thinking of you and all the good memories,
Ric and Shirley
I am from the east. Chris was so wonderful to me allowing me to stay with Pam and himself at their lovely residence in Victoria.
I was able to watch the game he loved as my boys played for the Shamrocks. I was made to feel so welcome and warm. As our paths crossed many times, he always had time to converse with me. I am really sad that he is gone because he was always a leader and I have learned from him.
You are a superb individual and coach and my boys always looked up to you. Thank you for being the person you are and thank you for being Chris. My family will never forget you.