In Loving Memory of Chris Caronna

Family, friends, neighbors, and loved ones…it is with very heavy hearts and sadness that we deliver to you the shocking news that Chris Caronna tragically passed away last evening.  Chris was on his way home from class riding his motorcycle traveling up Sierra Ave. when he was struck by someone that ran a stoplight and senselessly took his life.  He was taken to Kaiser Permanente hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Unbeknownst to his beloved wife Carrie of 17 years, she was at home with their two young sons Garet and Christopher making dinner as usual just waiting for Chris to get home.  Knowing he should have been home around 6-7 pm, Carrie called his phone wondering where he was at but there was no answer.  She called a second time a few minutes later – still no answer.  The third time she called a person identifying themselves as an emergency room nurse at Kaiser answered only to tell her to get to the hospital right away as something terrible had happened to Chris.  Upon her arrival with her two young sons, Carrie saw Chris’s mangled motorcycle but prayed that he was still ok.  Unfortunately, she was told that Chris had in fact passed away.  As a wife, just think about how absolutely devastating it would be to call your husband’s phone only for a complete stranger to answer it informing you that your husband has died!!!  We can’t imagine the horror and grief that Carrie must’ve gone through while still trying to be strong for her sons.  To walk into that emergency room and seeing her husband’s lifeless body – it's just beyond words…

For those that knew the Caronna’s, you knew they were a loving and kind family to everyone.  They have been a part of this community for over 8 years now and have many friends who care about them so it’s time for our community to pull together and provide them with the support that they will most certainly need to see them through this unthinkable tragedy.  Some of you already know that Chris loved to ride his motorcycle and was a very safe rider.  He was a Marine and loved his country.  What you may not know is that Chris was also a care giver to his elderly father who is quite ill; all while working full time, going to class and taking care of his own family.  Carrie is a kindergarten teacher’s aide at Pakuuma’ so some of you may know her from there as well.  But what’s truly, truly sad and heart-wrenching is Garet and Christopher will now have to grow up without their father in their lives.  Chris loved his sons and they were very, very close.  As young boys only in middle school and just starting out in high school, they are going to miss out on that special father/son bond and all the life lessons that only a “dad” could teach to his “sons”.

Unless you’ve experienced this before, there are no words that could describe what Carrie is going through.  If you have gone through this before, then you know the pain that she is in right now.  At this time, we ask that everyone open their hearts and come together to provide whatever support you can for Carrie right now so that her and her sons can get through this tragedy.  Chris’ death is just beyond senseless and as a community, this is our opportunity to take care of a family in need, a family that was so caring, a family that was strong…but most importantly a family whose lives will now forever be changed.

God bless and please continue to keep Carrie, Garet, Christopher and their entire family in your hearts…