Christopher James Strickland

life story

Beloved partner, brother and friend

Christopher passed away unexpectedly after a fall on the ice several days earlier. He is survived by his partner of over 35 years, Jean Wolosik, as well as his brother, Paul (Carolyn Rehn) and many friends he made throughout his full life. Chris was a smart, funny and kind person, and he will be deeply missed by many.

An informal gathering will be held Monday, December 18th at the Green Mill, on Grand Ave, St. Paul. There will be a few remarks at about 4:00, but mostly this will be a chance for friends of Chris and of Chris' loved ones to gather and celebrate and remember Christopher.

Food will be provided. Bar service will be available.

Chris's Story

Chris was born and raised in Broadview, Illinois, a small suburb outside of Chicago. He had a happy childhood in a house fill with love, music and laughs,. He played baseball, as all kids did back then, and was a pretty good goalie in hockey.

Chris caddied at a local country club, which sparked his life-long interest in golf. He remained an avid golfer throughout his life.

He admired the handwriting of his 7th grade teacher, Mr. Narkis, and worked hard to learn to copy it. His written notes and how he signed his name were a thing of beauty!

His family moved to Minnesota in 1965 when Chris was 17. He went to Hamline University where he majored in history and was a member of the OX fraternity. He finished his education at the University of Minnesota, and was recruited by Northwestern Bell out of college. There he began a career in Telecommunications in which he worked until he took early retirement from Hennepin County when he was 55.

Chris loved to travel, and had a special affection for Venice, travelling there several times. He and Jean's travel adventures also took them to Europe, and included a trip to Poland to meet Jean's family. Other destinations included Tuscany, along with multiple visits to San Francisco and Minnesota's North Shore

He loved good food and good wine. On holidays he designated himself as the one to bring Champagne, and he always brought the good stuff.

His taste in music ran from Jelly Roll Morton to the Hall Brothers to Los Tres Fabulos Paraguayos to the keyboard stylings of Al Melgaard, who played the giant pipe organ at Chicago Stadium (memories of Blackhawk games he attended as a kid). As in everything, his taste was eclectic and he went to the beat of his own drum.

For the past 14 years Chris worked weekends at City Walk Condominium where worked as a Desk Attendant (although he liked to say he was the House Detective). He enjoyed his part time job, tending to whoever was coming and going, and making relationships and friendships with the many of the building's tenants.

Whether classmates in grade school, high school and in college, or colleagues at each of his jobs or neighbors at pretty much every place that he lived, Chris made friends at each stop along the way, and he remained loyal and close to many of them for his entire life.

In addition to Jean, Paul and Carolyn, and many friends, Chris is survived by his east coast cousins (Paul, Stephen and Rhea Pliakas) and by his feline pal Francis Ferdinand (Fi Fi).

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services