Eternal flame in memory of Chris
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I only met Chris once when I stayed at his and Barret's Martha's Vineyard rental house on an overnight trip back in the spring of 1999, and he quickly revealed himself as a warm, positive and endearing soul. He seemed to always be smiling.
At the time he was ending his work-season of washing house windows, and showed off his 'socks' to prove his time outside - a clear tan line starting above his ankles showcasing his jet-white bare feet.
Along with being a fantastic guy he had a great knowledge of films and could do a spot-on impression of Robert De Niro. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing.
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Chris helped us adapt a spoof of Monty Python's Classic, "Monty Python & The Holy Grail" for the annual Middlesex Community College Broadcast Communications Awards Night. Each scene was a bumper to announce the category for the category for the award. You'll see one of them play out as Chris wins an award for best audio production. The year was 1998 and Chris was at peak creativity. These sketches were all shot in one day
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First day I met Chris was at MxCC. I was just starting the broadcast communications program and didn’t know anyone. I remember walking into the student lounge to really loud music and into a group of students that all seemed to know each other. Chris was one of those students…behind a boom box blasting The Beastie Boys. I remember thinking, what did I just walk into? Who are these cool people? The music was so loud all I could do was give Chris a cool nod and he nodded back. 😂 I never became super close friends with Chris, but we knew each other in passing at the college. At the time I remember he was really into recording samples of music and sounds that he cleverly chopped up into some interesting electronic music. He spent many many hours in the audio suite at the college that if somedays anyone was looking for him..they knew.
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This is another video with Chris acting as "Billy" while a student at Middlesex Community College. This is circa 1998. The video was shot clean on videotape and the film damage effect took months to render. It's a spoof of 1950's educational films. Chris was seen in 1999 at the Cannes Film Festival in an exhibition that featured new digital shorts.
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I am married to Barrett's step-mom, Chouteau; and I had the good fortune to know Chris since about the time that Sophia joined us. All I can say is, what a delightful, fun, generous and warm human being we have lost! Old cliches about people staying with us is certainly true with Chris - when I think of him, his amazing good nature, the family that he and Barrett built, even his joy in drinking my smoky blue martinis, or even when I pass a disk golf course, I can't help but smile. I miss this good human. There are too few of them around to spare this one. His suffering was unjust and his family's unfair, but his imprint, like The Dude, abides. RIP, Chris.
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These are a few clips from a movie project Chris was in while a student at Middlesex Community College. He started the project in a technical role behind the scenes and quickly earned the supporting role of Petr (brother to main character, Sergei) by performing the lines perfectly while we were looking to fill the role. Chris was perfect as Petr and was an even better friend and creative genius. His energy and enthusiasm for creating music and pictures was intoxicating and not only inspired his fellow peers and students, but the staff and faculty at the school as well. He was an incredible human being and the world lost a world class person.
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Chris, we miss your puns and mastery of the art of the “bad” joke. As a practitioner myself, you set a very high bar. We miss the warmth and goodwill you brought with you every time you entered a room.
We’re grateful that your legacy of patience, humor and kindness lives on in your daughters. We’re grateful that you so profoundly touched Barrett’s life. The example that you both set had been an influence in our lives.
We miss you tremendously You made sure of that Thank you.
With Love,
Zac, Bekah, Calvin, Niko & Evie
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It was one year ago today that Chris arrived at my house with his drum kit, ready to jam and even learn the songs that the other five guys (me, Mike, James, Jamie, and Jimmy James) had been playing on the regular. He’d seen and heard us play at one of my May Day parties. We knew him, liked him, and knew that we had similar musical tastes. “Loved the Camper Van Beethoven song,” he had said to us at May Day. Who knows about Camper? Only cool people, that’s who!
At my house last December, Chris was patient with our distractibility and generous with his humble humor. “I usually play a shaker on this song, Chris, I said.” “Well, I don’t need it to help me keep time,” he replied. And he really didn’t. He sounded great on songs we’d never played with him before, even originals that he’d never heard.
We played with him one only more time. It wasn’t the right time for him to cultivate new friendships. I imagine that he used his energy to strengthen the existing relationships with family and friends. His kind, mature daughters, one of whom babysat my children many times when they were younger, were already testament to Chris’ attention.
He texted with me a few more times, sharing a link to music he thought (correctly) that I’d enjoy. He was upbeat and positive in those messages. I’m grateful for the positivity and hopefulness that he spread in the short time that Chris was in my orbit.
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I never had the pleasure of meeting Chris in person but we've been "Internet" friends for 22 years. Bonding over a shared love of hip hop and sharing music production tips and laughs along the way. I am blessed to have known you brother. Such a solid and caring individual. Love you bro. Peace and blessings to the family. JMJ-
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