Christopher Fasan

Christopher Allan Fasan was optimistic and fun loving, with an enthusiasm for life. He cared about people and was understanding and compassionate. He helped others in whatever way he could. He appreciated the beauty and peace found in nature and enjoyed outdoor recreation. His greatest joy, however, was found in his family. Chris as a devoted husband and father, and was completely content with what he had been given.

Chris was born into an exciting decade in our nation’s history. The 1950s witnessed America stride confidently from the ashes of World War II into a new age of prosperity. It was in these times of progress that Americans discovered the proximity of the suburbs, the convenience of dishwashers and the swinging sounds of Rock and Roll. Chris entered these changing times on August 22, 1957, as one of five children born to Santo and Helen Fasan.

Chris spent his growing up years in the Birmingham, Michigan, area, where he attended Evergreen Elementary School and Birmingham Groves High School. A good athlete, he played on the high school football team and was a standout in diving. After graduating in 1975, Chris went on to Western Michigan University and earned a Business degree in 1980.

In grade school, Chris was likely very similar to all other little boys, paying little attention to the girls. Little did he know that one of those young ladies would one day be his bride. He and Nancy not only attended the same schools, but they also lived in the same neighborhood. They did not begin to date, however, until after college. One night, while helping his parents move, Chris saw Nancy’s car at her parent’s house and went over to say good-bye. But it wasn’t really good-bye, because the young couple soon began dating and enjoyed their time together playing guitar and singing. Over the next couple of years their love for each other blossomed and they were married on October 8, 1988, in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Detroit. The newlyweds honeymooned in beautiful Hawaii on the islands of Maui and Oahu. The picturesque scenery and the historical landmark of Pearl Harbor made this one of Chris’ favorite places to visit. Soon after the honeymoon, they moved to Commerce, Michigan, where Chris found work as a manager at Phoenix Corp., a telemarketing company. It wasn’t long before Chris and Nancy welcomed two beautiful children into their lives, Antoinette “Toni” born in 1991, and Alexander “Alex” in 1994. They were Chris’s pride and joy and he cherished their births as the greatest days in his life.

In 1997, the family moved to West Bloomfield and Chris went to work for Perry Johnson Inc. as a sales consultant. He truly loved his job and was a dedicated employee for the past ten years. In turn, his company was good to him.

Always, though, Chris’ family came first. He was extremely proud of his children and loved being a father. He would teach and guide his children and support them in everything they did. Remembering his childhood enjoyment of swimming and diving, Chris took great pleasure in teaching his children to swim in his mother-in-law’s pool. His daughter took to diving exceptionally well and is in her first year of competition, which Chris boasted of like any proud father would. Chris really tried to encourage Toni to play other sports. She excelled in volleyball, soccer, and basketball. He really enjoyed watching her play basketball, so much that he coached her team. You could find Chris taking his two children to the library, bike riding and rollerblading. And when it came to their homework, only dad could help them through it.

His son Alex was also very active on the hockey team and Chris thoroughly enjoyed helping Alex with his techniques and skills. The two would watch games on television then go over the maneuvers and in the winter, Chris took the kids to frozen ponds to skate and play hockey. Although Chris wasn’t the team coach, he was Alex’s number one supporter and took great pride in the fact that Alex made the traveling hockey team this spring. In whatever they did, Chris wanted them to be happy and to know that they were loved.

When Chris wasn’t working or spending time with his family, he was enjoying the great outdoors playing baseball or golfing. As a huge sports fan, Chris liked watching the Pistons and Red Wings, and, of course, was waiting patiently for the Detroit Lions to go to the Super Bowl. He also enjoyed the History Channel and Fox News. A social man, Chris liked to work in his yard and talk to people walking by or their neighbors. During the summer, his BBQ ribs could be smelled throughout the neighborhood. Some of Chris’ other interests included listening to blues music by Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan or Rock and Roll, and reading about politics and history, which led to his vast collection of newspaper clippings of special events. A man of complex taste, he was known as “Mr. Picky” when it came to food, however, meat and potatoes was his favorite dish.

Chris and Nancy loved to travel together. Every year, they would drive to Palm Harbor, Florida and visit Nancy’s mom and Chris’ brother Larry, whom he was very close with, in St. Petersburg. They would never go straight down though, there were several side trips along the way. Once in Florida, they would take the kids to the area theme parks and swim in the ocean. Nancy would always have a hard time leaving and on one instance, she wanted just a little longer, so the family went for another swim before finally convincing her it was time to go. After getting the car packed and kids in, Chris found the battery was dead in the car and Nancy had another day reprieve. Although the beach was nice, Chris was more of a backwoods kind of man. Like one trip they took with Nancy’s friend Cathy to her parents’ house, which was on the border of North and South Carolina and Tennessee. Here Chris was in awe of the natural landscaping of beautiful falls, rivers and mountains. One of their most memorable side trips, however, was in Chattanooga, Tennessee, or more particularly, Ruby Falls/Rock City. During one of their outings, Nancy was inspired by an adventurous spirit while driving up I-75, and decided to take some back roads, which inadvertently took them to Ty Cobb’s childhood home in Georgia. For a baseball fan, this was a good mistake.

Chris’ love for people was obvious from the moment they met him. He was willing and able to make friends with anyone, quickly putting them at ease and looking for ways he could help and encourage them. In turn, when he became ill, his friends were a constant support for his family. From mowing the lawn, taking the kid’s shopping for school supplies sending donations and heartfelt wishes in the form of cards and holding two candlelight vigils in his honor, they helped in whatever way they could. The family will be forever grateful for their unselfish love and support.

Friends and family will remember Chris not for the things he did, but for the reason he did them. He inspired everyone he met to be a better person and to live every day to its fullest extent. People Chris met usually walked away with a smile because of his loving humor and kind heart.

Christopher Allan Fasan died at his home on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 surrounded by his loving family. His family includes his loving wife, Nancy Fasan; children: Toni and Alex Fasan; mother, Helen Fasan; brothers: Danny, Larry and Jeff Fasan and sister, Kathy; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Irene, and brother-in-law, George.

Friends may visit with Chris’ family on Wednesday, November 3, from 5-9 p.m. and Thursday, November 4, from 2-9 p.m. with a Trisagion service at 7:30 p.m. from McCabe Life Story Funeral Home, 31950 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills. Funeral service will be on Friday, November 5, with instate at 9:30 a.m. and service at 10 a.m. from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 25225 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills. Please visit Chris’ personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to the Make-a-Wish Foundation or Holy Cross Creek Orthodox Church.