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
Our sincerest sympathies to the entire Hall family on the passing of Chris. While we have not been in touch for many years, we have the fondest memories of Chris and we will always remember his good nature. sense of humour, and his ever-smiling face. We will be out of the country and not be able to attend the memorial service but our thoughts and prayers will be with the family.
Dear Pam and family:
We were so sorry to hear of Chris’ passing. He was such a wonderful person and he will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones at this very difficult time. We all are so fortunate having the privilege of knowing such a great and talented man. Your loving memories of Chris will be forever with you and help you through the trying days ahead. Take care, love, Doug and Sharon Hunt
Dear Pam and family, our deepest condolences on your loss. Although the sorrow runs too deep for any words to say how much he will be missed by his family and all his friends. Please know that we share in your loss. Chris and Wally.
My condolences and sympathies to the Hall family on the passing of Chris. I will forever remember Chris for his honesty and teaching ability. A phrase from Chris I will forever remember and live by “seek to understand before you speak”
Thank you for the opportunity and permitting me to an equal.
My apologies on not being able to attend Chris’ celebration of life, however, my thoughts and prayers will be there in spirit.
Pam & Family–Our love and thoughts are with you at this sad & difficult time. Chris was a special person –always had “time for all”. He will be so missed by many!!
Dearest Pammy
There are no “right” words for a time like this in your life. You just have to know that I am thinking of you all the time with love and support, but also with sadness in my heart.
Chris was such a special guy – man, what a loss!
I hope that you and the “babes” can get together when the time is right – whenever that may be.
I will be very sorry to miss Chris’ celebration of life, as I will be away at that time in January.
Arms around you Pam!
Pam and Family,
Bob and I are so sorry to hear of Chris’s passing. He will be missed. You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob and Lynne
Chris had the best smile and best laugh. He was larger than life. I worked with Chris at BC Buildings Corporation. We make this journey once and I am so glad that I got to share part of the journey with Chris and all the folks that worked with Chris at BCBC. Peace be with you my friend. Bob Brandle.
Dear Pam and Family
It was an honour to get to know CH as part of the Roughnecks Family during his years in Calgary.
His enthusiasm for lacrosse rubbed off on everyone around him and his personality made it always a pleasure to spend time together. We will always remember our visit with you and Chris during a visit to Victoria.
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Brian’s, Stephanie and Marla Sacks
I was very saddened to hear that Chris Hall had passed away. During the 1980’s when I worked as a TV sports reporter at CHEK TV I interviewed Chris on countless occasions and and always found him to be extraordinarily dedicated to sports (particularly lacrosse) as well as being consistently pleasant and accessible. He enjoyed competition but loved people even more and deserved all the accolades he’s received during his lifetime and those that now follow his untimely passing. My deepest condolences to his family.