The magnificent Mr. Chris passed away peacefully at home on June 3, 2011 face toward the ocean, teeth to the wind and heart full of love. He carries with him the hearts of his sons, Drew and Mark, wife, Karen (Platt) and an incredible village of friends and family. Words fall short in describing this eccentric, brilliant, delightful, passionate, loving, funny, tenacious, extraordinary man. Chris was fascinated with design – of objects, homes, boats and human beings. He loved a challenge and a project and was forever contemplating and executing the “elegant” solution. He could build or fix anything and was unstintingly generous with his knowledge, intuition and technical ability, helping innumerable friends and colleagues solve seemingly insoluble problems. His name and genius was attached to many patents in the medical and nautical industries. Chris was a renaissance man – off-shore sailor, artist, inventor, architect, philosopher, lover, father, friend. He had a ruthless eye and ear for detail, entertaining many with his impressions of characters, real and imagined. He loved to laugh, most of all at himself. He was a truly uncomplicated man, sensual and infinitely kind. Born in Victoria in 1947, he spent much of his life cruising the BC coast and some of his happiest times were spent aboard his (always) wooden boats. Whether cruising or tinkering, he was most at home on the water. In 1981, he sailed to the South Pacific, heading out with crew and returning one year later single-handed. His stories of that journey were among his proudest, funniest and most often repeated. He loved food, wine, a good story, the company of good friends and anyone who could make him laugh. Chris met his wife Karen in 1994. Their love grew daily right until the end and it never ceased to delight and amaze them. Chris took his cancer diagnosis with equanimity, grace and fierce determination. In the face of impossible odds and incredible losses, he never complained and never lost hope. As the disease eroded his body, he expanded more and more into love and gratitude for everyone and everything in his life and we have all been profoundly altered by sharing his experience. His amazing, indomitable spirit has entered deeply into the hearts and minds of those who knew him – a final, elegant solution to the challenge of remaining alive. Chris lived well and died well, loving and knowing he was well and truly loved.
A Celebration of Chris’ Life will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club from 1:00 – 4:00. Please dress in bright colours! Donations may be made to the Ukulapha Outreach Project (www.ukulapha.org.za); Pearson College of the Pacific or InspireHealth (www.inspirehealth.ca) – designated to the Victoria Centre please. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
33 Responses
Karen: All the best to you and Chris on this new phase of your journey together, love surrounds you.
Linda
Chris, surely you always knew how much we have loved you. And Karen, our love and appreciation of everything that is you continues. We look forward to being with you on the 29th.
My time spent with Chris was always too short as I enjoyed every second of it to the max. He was an amazing and wonderful person, someone to aspire to and someone I shall never forget and someone that had great taste in shirts. We are all better people for having known him. Greg
Chris was a very special friend, a very special husband, and he knew how lucky he was to have a very special wife. I shall miss him and I am so sorry he is no longer with us in body, but he will remain forever in out hearts.
Karen, you truly were the best wife for him.
Neil
Karen, what a wonderful tribute to the magnificent Mr. Chris. And the photo is perfect — he looks so pleased with himself and with the world in general. That’s how I think of him. If we can all carry the memory of Chris with us as we go about our daily lives, the world will be a better place. Ted’s and my thoughts are with you. Love, hugs, and teeth to the wind, Mada
Karen, your words reflect Chris’ magnificence into a bright sparkle. I am so sorry that he is no longer with you and with all of those he touched so deeply. I wish I had known him. We send you heart-to-heart love, Madeleine, Krystal and Nick
We loved being Chris’s neighbours. I have never met such a positive and optimistic person as he–he could single-handedly restore anyone’s faith in human nature. We are so very sorry for your loss. Colin and Jennifer Houghton
So amazingly written from a heart of love and gratitude. These words are the image of Chris! I love you, dear uncle “Chrissy!” And you will always be my mentor in the art of laughter, delight in the absurd, and deep fascination with life.
Karen, I think your words capture the spirit and essence of Chris as much as any words could! And the photograph is so beautiful! Amy and I share in your sorrow, knowing how deep that pain is, but grateful for our time with Chris. He truly does live on through these wonderful memories and the love he shared with us.
With all our love and sympathy, Dama, & Amy ( from NYC ).
It is with profound sadness that we have read of Chris’s passing. We came late to knowing Chris, just last spring when after waiting 6 years we secured a berth at the Oak Bay Marina. It was our good fortune to share a finger on ‘G’ dock with Chris. He was so welcoming and so helpful. We send our heartfelt condolences to Karen and sons Drew and Mark. He was truly a bright light and will be missed. Veronica and Ernie Mangulins, M.V. Sea Esta