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
It’s strange. I am sure I met Chris when I was small and lived in Victoria. Now I see his face, on the occasion of his passing and I remember it from probably over 35 years ago. I am grateful for the write up above, so that I could hear about the man so adored by so many; a man I only maybe met once, but was dear to my cousins and my late father, Bob Grant.
I am sorry for your loss; yet happy for the life you all shared, which is what lives on forever.
Robyn Grant
What sad news! The world is truly a better place for Chris having walked through our lives with such enthusiasm, curiosity, kindness and love. Our family met Chris, Karen and Mark on Hornby Island when our week at the Sea Breeze Lodge coincided with theirs. What a happy coincidence! For 7 years we looked forward to meeting up again and sharing a lot of laughs, fishing lessons for the boys and so much more. Karen, your eloquence is astounding at expressing Chris the person – you have truly captured his essence and we so appreciate the picture you chose because that’s just how we’ll remember him. Big hugs to you and the boys at this sad time…Much love from Dana, Larry, Josh, Madeline and Mallory xoxoxoxoxo
Karen, Sending you hugs, love and more love.
xox
Truly a renaissance man! Full of love and kindness and passion for Karen, his sons, and life! We were privileged to see the dawn of a great love, and grieve to hear that it must evolve. Chris will remain forever in the goodness of the universe, and the warmth of the many hearts he touched. Karen, you’ll dance again, all the more beautiful with Chris in your heart.
Kristi & Bernie
Karen,
I was so sad to hear the news today of Chris’s passing. What an amazingly beautiful tribute you have written. The two of you were extremely fortunate to have found each other and to have shared such a wonderful part of your life journey together. Scott and I have wonderful memories of that great evening we all spent in Refuge Cove. The love between you was so obvious and true. Treasure your memories and hold that love in your heart forever.
My thoughts are with you,
Gill
Karen,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I have such fond memories of speaking with Chris in the marina office and out on the docks. When I first met you both I thought that all the lovely, smiling, positive energy was just for the new mooring at Oak Bay. Each interaction since our first meeting has been equally lovely, smiling, and positive. That is how I know and remember Chris.
Our warmest thoughts go out to you and your family.
Maya and the Oak Bay Marina Crew
Our Dearest Karen,
We felt the love, feel the love, and know it to be true.
Greeting in Zulu culture literally means: I see you. Chris saw us. We feel seen, and we saw him too: beautiful, smiling, brimming with curiosity, involved, loving.
Karen, anything you need just ask.
We see you. Hugs and more hugs.
Larry, Linda and Tali
Karen,
What a tragic loss to the world. Your tribute to Chris was absolutely spot-on. We have lost a good friend and probably all sense the loss of wind in our sails. Memories of “the magnificent Mr. Chris” will however help us sail on. I can tell from the thoughtful comments that we’ve all been touched by his example. He is a friend I’ll miss as well.
Larry Scotten
Karen – I am so deeply sorry for your terrible loss and that of Drew and Mark. I will always remember Chris for his love of all things sea and wooden boats, his eye for design and engineering elegance, and, above all, his love for you. I am sending you all my thoughts and heartfelt condolences as you navigate your way through this really difficult passage – but I am sure that he’s standing by your shoulder, pointing the way, holding the chart – and he’ll do that forever. All my strength and love to you…
Eric Anderson
Karen,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. I never had the pleasure of meeting Chris but Deb has told us about him…our loss in not meeting him.
As Dr. Seuss stated: Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
Sharyl