Christopher J. Delaware
November 2, 1979 ~ April 28, 2010
Loving husband of Meredith V. Delaware; son of John and Kathryn Delaware; brother of Nicholas Delaware and Hillary (Alex) Halili; grandson of Dorothy Ward; son-in-law of Pamela and Leo Viens; brother-in-law of Liesha Viens; and cherished uncle of Olivia Gerber, Noah Halili, Isabella Gerber, Mara Halili, and Carly Halili.
Chris is also survived by numerous extended family members and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family, coaching Lacross and Basketball in the area and serving his country.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Chris is also survived by numerous extended family members and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family, coaching Lacross and Basketball in the area and serving his country.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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I will always remember Chris. Del was a true inspiration to me and was there for me when I didn’t think anyone else was. I remember when in his Junior year in college, he left for a weekend. I was going through a rough patch, and needed to get away, and Del let me hid out in his space while he was gone. I will remember his gift of Sanctuary for all my days.
We are stunned and saddened by this news. I taught Chris morality at Bishop Ireton and coached him in lacrosse for four years. Kathleen had the pleasure of driving him to school every day for a school year. We both got to know him and his family well. He was a great student and a great defenseman on a very close and successful lacrosse team. He was an intelligent, creative, thoughtful and passionate young man. Kathleen and I wish to send our thoughts and prayers out to his wife and family. Chris always lived by the motto, “Advance Always”, and his life is a testament to that slogan. Scott and Kathleen Racek
I remember meeting Chris my freshman year. That summer a group of us got the opportunity to work security for concerts in the DC area. Along with Chris, myself, Joey Linehan, Matt D’aria and others were in the “pit” of the concert and had to pull out patrons who reached the front and needed to get back to crowd. One time stepping up to reach a patron turned into a group of 4 coming flying at me and I felt a hand on my back supporting me as I caught them head on. It was Delaware, he was there on my back supporting me and his hand never left. It has stayed there for almost 10 years and will remain there until we see each other again. Delaware had my back along with countless others. He is truly missed and I will do my best to Honor his memory.
Thank you for being such a good guy, Chris. I am deeply saddened by your departure….
Our memories of Chris will be one of a young adult who always maintained a positive attitude no matter the situation. He was an inspiration and role model for two of our sons who were involved with him when he was the charter lacrosse coach at Aquinas School. We know he continued to inspire others while serving as assistant coach at Bishop Ireton. Our prayers and sympathy are with his wife, family and friends. May you find peace.
I will always remember Chris as a decent, loving, dedicated, and supportive individual. He gave of himself and everyone who had an opportunity to know him and love him was blessed for having been in his presence. I will always remember him on the lacrosse field at BI and LC giving everything he had; with my son and daughter, Scott and Casey, just being that fun loving friend; and, the big smile that he always had on his face and the hug he’d give me when we would see each other when my WSHS team would face-off against my old BI players who were now coaches at BI. For the Delaware’s, Sue and I offer our sincere condolences. Your son was the best.
I will always remember the times Chris, Lynn and I carpooled to BI together. Moreso, I’m proud to have been a teammate and friend of Chris both on and off the lacrosse field. The pictures I have from our high school and college playing days have an even deeper meaning now. The sudden and tragic loss of such a well-rounded and good-natured man as Chris was is truly tragic. Chris had no vices and he will be missed by many. From my family and I, we offer our sincere condolences and our prayers to the Delaware famly.
Chris was an incredible guy. I will forever remember his sweet nature,and caring heart. Some of my fondest memories from Freshman year at LC, were with him. A great friend, and he will truly be missed. Love and prayers to his family and friends during this painful time.
My daughter Raygan introduced us to “Delaware”. I never really knew he actually had another name. He was an outstanding intelligent young man who truly was interested in serving his county and he was certainly doing that through his work. He will be missed beyond words.
To Meredith and all the other family/friends of Chris…..please accept my deepest condolences on behalf of the OLGC House League Basketball program. Chris helped coach one of the 4th/5th grade teams and presented himself as a competitor, mentor, leader, but more importantly as an outstanding role model. Meredith, thank you for sharing Chris with us and allowing us to be blessed by such a giving individual. While there will indeed be a void in the coaching ranks next season, we know that the spirit and sportsmanship Chris imparted on his players (and the league) will remain for a long time. May God provide you comfort and grace during this time of grieving. God bless you. Lisa Nihill Co-Commissioner of OLGC House League Basketball
Chris was a very generous and kind man. Our family appreciated his time and mentoring he offered to the Aquinas School’s basketball and lacrosse teams. He was such a positive role model for the Aquinas community. Our prayers and sympathy to his wife, parents, brother Nick, other members of the Delaware family, and his friends. Bill, Jamie, Ricky and Matthew Tanis
I grew up next door to the Delawares and had the opportunity to watch Chris grow into an incredible young man. My fondest childhood memories included him and his family. My heart goes out to his family and I am sorry for your loss.
Our deepest sympathies to Chris’s wife, parents, brother Nick, sister and the rest of his family. We met Chris about 9 years ago after he talked our son DJ into playing lacrosse instead of baseball at Aquinas School. When DJ and several other students when on to Bishop Ireton, so did Chris to continue coaching lacrosse. Chris was not only a great lacrosse coach, he was also a great mentor, role model and friend to all who knew him. Our son Corey just saw him on Tuesday at BI and Chris was trying to get him to put a lacrosse stick in his hand instead of the bat he was carrying. There wasn’t a time we didn’t talk to him and he would ask how everyone in the family was doing. He cared so much about everyone. He will be greatly missed. You are in our prayers. Doug, Barbara, DJ & Corey Phillips
Chris was an amazing person and I am truly grateful to have been touched by his sincerity and kindness. My deepest sympathy to the Delaware family, I know there are no words to fill the void of his loss, but hope you know that the impression he made in my life will never fade.
Chris, Raygan and I attended Lynchburg College together; Chris and I the same graduating class (2002). He was always such an immediate friend, a close confidant, and a gentle soul. He introduced Raygan and I in Westover; we began dating shortly after and married 4 years later. We owe so much to Chris and will miss him dearly.
We offer our deepest sympathy. When tragedy strikes and takes the life of our loved ones, many cry out with great sorrow. Your tears are not unnoticed by the Creator of Life. Never was it his purpose for our human lives to be taken away. Although your deep pain will not easily disappear, prayer to God will bring comfort to you as you grieve. The Bible assures us God “is healing the broken hearted ones, and is binding up their painful spot.” Psalm 147:3
We are truly heartbroken and saddened by the loss of such a young, vibrant, loving young man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Meredith, and all of yours and Chris’ family – Much love, Mary, Doug and Logan Lancaster
Chris was a tremendous human being and consummate professional who provided invaluable and selfless service to his country. He will be sorely missed, but his memory will live on. Our deepest sympathies to his wife and family.
Chris was such a fun loving and wonderful guy. I have so many great memories of him throughout my time at BI. He was exceedingly loyal, charming, and funny. We shared many laughs over those awkward adolescent years as well as our share of bad concerts. He always had a kind word when you needed it and a joke or a poke when the time called for it. I am truly sorry to hear that he has passed. One thing’s for sure though, he will have a team up there training in no time. Chris, you will be sorely missed down here. All my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I met Chris his Junior year at Lynchburg when I worked in the Student Activities office. He was a part of the Men in Action Society (MAS) which became Sigma Nu. I’ve never worked with a better person who created so much positive change in a community. He was an amazing student to work with and I am lucky to have known him. We lost touch in the past few years but recently reconnected and I am glad to have caught up with him before he left us so suddently.
I was shocked to hear of Chris’ sudden passing, and I was immediately taken back to many hours we spent together on the basketball court as I coached his freshmen and varsity basketball teams at Bishop Ireton. He was such a pleasure to coach…worked hard, listened well, and helped his teammates be better. It was no surprise that he started coaching at Aquinas while still a young man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Chris was the guy who “give the shirt off his back” to help you, the smiles he would bring to LC and the support he spread will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Delaware family
Our deepest sympathy to Meredith, her family and Chris’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am proud to have called Chris my student and my friend. He is an outstanding young man who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Chris never disappointed me; he was always a stand-up guy and a treasure to have in class. We traveled to conferences together in D.C. and New York and he was always one of the leaders. The other students routinely looked up to him for advice, guidance, and friendship. He was friend to many and a leader to most who came in contact with him. I should have told him how proud I was of him. Chris, everyone at LC will miss you terribly.
My deepest sympathies go out to Chris’ wife and family. I have you all in my prayers. I was lucky to meet and become friends with Delaware at LC through our shared major. He was one of my biggest supporters and I was one of his. He was always there for me when I needed advice, support, or just a friend to lean on. Delaware was an amazingly intelligent, dedicated, and honorable man who touched and taught so many lives. Delaware, you will be so missed and I hope you know how much your friendship meant to me.
Dearest Delaware Family Our son Matthew introduced my family to Chris at Lynchburg College, didn’t see him often but did have the privilege of seeing the beautiful young man he became, just knowing the world a better place because he was in it. We lost our older son not to long after meeting Chris, he was so caring and helpful at such a bad time, Chris became family. I feel sad for all of us who knew him and even sadder for those who were yet to. For the brief time we had the privilege to be part of his life he gave so much, such warmth and sincerity, he just knew how to make us feel special. Chris was a gift, someone we will never forget. The overwhelming sadness of never seeing him again makes our hearts ache, knowing he was there made us happy and that feeling of special that Chris knew how to do. Thinking of Chris will always put a smile on our faces remembering the beautiful smile on his. With our deepest sympathy Cecelia and Peter Girardi
God Bless you all . I am so sorry for you loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Chris. We knew him as the wonderful, generous, and interested lacross coach at Aquinas. Our son, Michael, loved him and profited from his coaching. Our sympathy goes out to his wife, parents, brother and all of his family and those near to him. May he rest in peace.
Dear Meredith, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Our hearts are breaking for you and we pray that you are able to find peace and comfort. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. -Bethany and Josh
We knew and will remember Chris as the founding father of Lacrosse at Aquinas and share memories of him practicing on the pavement in the parking lot of the school. Chris was the kind of man who always inspired his players to give their all no matter what the circumstances. He taught the players that succeeding in lacrosse was as much about a person’s character as it was about their athletic skill. His much too short time with us has had an impact on so many that will not be lost. Our prayers are with Chris and his family. The Bushweller Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and friends. Chris coached our son Niko in basketball at Aquinas School. He was a fine young man, a wonderful mentor and example to our son. We know that he has touched many lives in a positive way and will be truly missed. May God’s love embrace and comfort you. Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear. In Christ, Chris, Sharon, Niko, and Melina Gonzales
To my friend Meredith and the Delaware family, please accept my most sincere and heartfelt condolences for the loss of your beloved husband, son, grandson and brother. You have and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
We want to send our deepest condolences to Coach Delaware’s wife and entire family. My son Robert had the privilege of playing lacrosse under Coach Delaware his freshman and sophomore years at Bishop Ireton H.S. We will never forget him … kind, courteous, competitive, positive, knowledgeable, inspirational … a true professional and gentleman. He was a superb defensive coach who not only prepared the players for the lacrosse field, but also mentored them to be good citizens. We are so grateful that we were able to spend a little time with him at the Bishop Ireton Men’s Lacrosse “Senior Day” on Tuesday. We’re keeping all you in our prayers during this difficult time. The Chastain Family
I met Chris rather awkwardly while he was working at the Haggen Dags stand in Potomac Mills mall when I was still in high school. Needless to say we both got a very good laugh in when he realized I was the little sister of the guy he drove to school every morning…he laughed his very unique laugh and nervously said to me “don’t tell your dad or brother I was talking to you…they’ll hurt me!”. We ended up at LC together, while Chris was two years older and no longer had a responsibility to my dad or brother he took it upon himself to make sure I was well looked after during my freshman year at LC. And again needless to say during that very rough year Chris was always there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on, a sounding board, or just a friend to hang out with. He taught me to persevere over all the obstacles I was faced with that year and is one of the main reasons I decided to return. Even after he graduated he continued to look out for me I could always call on him when I needed it. He changed my life and helped me become the person I am today. I will never forget his strength, kindness, warming smile, and unique laughter.
Chris was a great person and truly touched the lives of everyone he was around at LC. He will be greatly missed by all those lucky enough to have known him.
Johnny Michael, Katy and family, I am so sorry. I received the message this morning and am at a loss for words. Please lean on each other at this time, as friends and family are always helpful with healing and sharing memories. Please accept our condolences on behalf on myself, my son Gabriel, my dad, and Kim/Scott and their family.
My condolences go out to the Delaware family. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Please accept my sorrow. If Connie were still here, she too would be devastated.
To Meredith and the rest of the Delaware Family: I was deeply sorry to hear of Chris’s sudden passing. I was blessed to have met him. Your whole family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Chris was an amazingly wonderful young man–one of my “peeps” in the consulting arena before moving on to other challenges. I share your loss and feel an emptiness in my heart. Chris was truly God’s blessing.
Our family met Chris “Delaware” through our daughter Christy and her friend Raygan. They had many fun years together. We truly enjoyed our converstaions and visits with “Delaware”. To the family, we are so sorry for your loss. Now he truly is an angel.
Meredith, Two years ago at the lax dinner we told Chris that he had better marry that beautiful wonderful girl before she got away. He just smiled and nodded. Our son Mike has loved and deeply respected Chris for the last few years and has repeatedly turned to him as have we. He has been the most decent, good, funny, insightful example in his life. When he came to the stands for the senior game last week, we were thrilled that he would be there for my son’s last game because of what it would mean to Mike and to us. He never stopped wanting his approval and encouragement. We will pray constantly that you may find peace. Please come to us if there is ever anything you need.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Delaware family for their grievous loss.
Meredith and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I met Delaware during my tenure at Lynchburg College and feel so fortunate that we journeyed together for a while. Delaware was such a great man, and I am a better person for having known him. I hope you will take comfort in knowing that he was so loved. He always knew the right thing to say, offered a big hug, and sweet support like a big brother. He will be truly missed. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Peace to you.
My sincerest condolences to Chris’ friends and family. Chris was one of the most capable, friendly, good-humored, and driven individuals I’ve ever worked with. He was an inspiration to me and, while I will miss him dearly, I am thankful for the opportunity to have had him as a colleague and a friend. Chris always brought a smile to my face, even in high-stress situations, and I’ll always remember him for his dedication to his country, his fondness for those he cared about, and his natural, unhesitating tendency to go out of his way to help others.
“We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers” (Paul VI, CPG # 30). At Aquinas, Chris coached our son Zach. He was a really great guy. a mentor and coach to many of the boys. He represented light at the end of a long day. The boys looked forward to seeing him because he represented fun, albeit gained through hard work. It should be pointed out that Chris “freely” gave of himself to help others. Others became better at all their endeavors because of what he did. He may have used sports at his platform and the sport may have been basketball or lacrosse. But that didn’t really matter. Chris Delaware’s lessons applied to life. Each of us are better for knowing him. We now honor him! “And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12) Sancta sanctis! Ad Gloriam Dei Vi Vat Jesus Joe, Lesley and Zach Mitchell
Our deepest sympathy to Meredith, her family and to Cris’s family at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Chris was a wonderful man and he will be missed by so many.
Chris was always a really energetic, funny, and all around great guy when I knew him years ago. He will be missed and my condolences go out to the family. You all are in my prayers and I wish you all the best. God bless all of you.
Dearest Meredith, just to let you know that we are thinking of and the rest of the family ALWAYS. All our love Nana and Sharon