Remembering Chris Charette
Donation protected
Chris was a wonderful father and husband. We met in 7th grade and has been close to my heart ever since. I used to comb his long hair in Earth Science class in high school. When my brother, Andrew, had his graduation party, I saw Chris in his cowboy hat and boots and then our relationship began. Chris was deployed for an 8 month tour with the USS America air-craft carrier. During this time I wrote to him when he was deployed. When he got back I got an engagement ring on the Christmas tree. Chris and I had 36 years of a great marriage.
Chris was so strong willed, smart, brave, funny, charismatic, and always put his family first. He never complained when he was hurting even when he was so sick going to his radiation treatments, he still wanted to fight this. For the past 2 months we have been in and out of the hospital 6 times and all the nurses said he was such a good patient, never complaining and was such a sweet heart.
He wanted to fight this cancer but it was too far gone. We had no idea that anything was wrong until he couldn't swallow and had chest pains. It all started April 20th when he got a CT scan of his chest. Chris had developed cancer in his esophagus, lungs, stomach, liver, and eventually metastasized in his bones. It was a constant struggle to get him the medication to help him with his pain but also be able to treat the cancer. There was no middle ground. It was either Chris be in pain and get radiation treatment or Chris be at peace but not receive cancer treatment. It was 6 brutal weeks of nausea and pain.
In the hospice center, each room has a different picture. In his room, where he died, there was a large frame with a photograph of a Blue Titmouse. Chris's mother and father loved birds and we believe that that picture was put there for a reason. His parents watched over him while he was there. Some nurses say that about an hour before Chris died, they heard birds singing louder than they ever heard them before. They went to investigate and could not explain how they were singing so loud and so early in the morning. We believe the birds came for Chris and guided him to be reunited with his parents. We have an opportunity to sponsor this picture in the hospice center. We hope to use some of the proceeds from this campaign to create a memorial in honor of Chris' life.
Chris was taken from our lives so quickly and so unexpectedly. There was no time to prepare. Chris did not have life insurance so we did not have any money to fall back on. We have a goal of 5,000 dollars to help fund the medial costs, memorial services, and Chris' cremation. I, Chris' wife, will be responsible for the funds collected through this campaign. We would like to raise money for Chris' cremation cost as soon as possible, but we do not have a hard deadline for support. We would appreciate any form of support, whether that be monetary, or simply sharing this with others.
Chris was so strong willed, smart, brave, funny, charismatic, and always put his family first. He never complained when he was hurting even when he was so sick going to his radiation treatments, he still wanted to fight this. For the past 2 months we have been in and out of the hospital 6 times and all the nurses said he was such a good patient, never complaining and was such a sweet heart.
He wanted to fight this cancer but it was too far gone. We had no idea that anything was wrong until he couldn't swallow and had chest pains. It all started April 20th when he got a CT scan of his chest. Chris had developed cancer in his esophagus, lungs, stomach, liver, and eventually metastasized in his bones. It was a constant struggle to get him the medication to help him with his pain but also be able to treat the cancer. There was no middle ground. It was either Chris be in pain and get radiation treatment or Chris be at peace but not receive cancer treatment. It was 6 brutal weeks of nausea and pain.
In the hospice center, each room has a different picture. In his room, where he died, there was a large frame with a photograph of a Blue Titmouse. Chris's mother and father loved birds and we believe that that picture was put there for a reason. His parents watched over him while he was there. Some nurses say that about an hour before Chris died, they heard birds singing louder than they ever heard them before. They went to investigate and could not explain how they were singing so loud and so early in the morning. We believe the birds came for Chris and guided him to be reunited with his parents. We have an opportunity to sponsor this picture in the hospice center. We hope to use some of the proceeds from this campaign to create a memorial in honor of Chris' life.
Chris was taken from our lives so quickly and so unexpectedly. There was no time to prepare. Chris did not have life insurance so we did not have any money to fall back on. We have a goal of 5,000 dollars to help fund the medial costs, memorial services, and Chris' cremation. I, Chris' wife, will be responsible for the funds collected through this campaign. We would like to raise money for Chris' cremation cost as soon as possible, but we do not have a hard deadline for support. We would appreciate any form of support, whether that be monetary, or simply sharing this with others.
Fundraising team (2)
Kerri Charette
Organizer
Haymarket, VA
Stephen Charette
Team member