Christopher C. Meister Service Information

Christopher C. Meister passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, at age 73.  Chris had patiently and courageously battled challenges to his health for the past twenty years and was a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran. 

Many of his challenges resulted from exposure to Agent Orange during his time serving in the Army in the Vietnam War. He lived in Willow Grove, PA, having formerly lived in Philadelphia, growing up in the neighborhood of Tacony. Chris was a Golden graduate of Lincoln High School’s Class of 1965. Chris was fortunate to retire from the City of Philadelphia and was a proud A.F.L.C.I.O. District Council 33 brother.  He enjoyed volunteering with the Miss America Organization, supporting the Miss Southeastern PA Scholarship Organization local that his wife directed. Chris admired the many young women they worked with and was very proud of all their accomplishments.  He was amazing at keeping track of the many competition facts and trivia that their local competition accrued, as well as those of the Miss Pennsylvania State competition.  Chris enjoyed and excelled at the game Civilization, prized his Alienware laptop that he played on every day, and considered any day he knew the Final Jeopardy “question” a good day.  He was an avid reader and historian, with a special interest in World War I and II, and he was mid-way through two library books on those subjects. He loved and cared for many pets throughout his life, and he became the favorite person for each and every one.

Chris was married to Mary (Mannix) since 1985 and encouraged all of her dreams.  Chris was her partner in all things in life, including being the first City of Philadelphia employee to request paternity leave to care for their daughter. Chris supported Mary’s political activism that led to the successful passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993. Chris was blessed to have a son, Clinton and a daughter, Nina, and they were both blessed beyond measure to have him as their Dad.  He has one grandson, Aidan.  Chris and his first wife, Gale, also had two sons who died in infancy.  The loss of these babies was never forgotten by Chris and Gale and their compassion for others going through similar times was touching to see.  Chris’ sister, Linda Lee, predeceased him, and his brothers, Stephen (the late Paulette) and David (the late Terry), survive him.  Chris considered Steve and Dave his heroes for their fellow service as Vietnam Veterans. Norma, Stephen (Susan) and James Mannix treasured Chris as their brother-in-law. He was the beloved Uncle Chris to Prentis Lee, Matthew and Michael Mannix, Raymond, Trevor, Ryan and Kyle Meister, Heather Pone and Melissa Ziegler, and Great Uncle to Samantha Bivans, Christopher Hill, Bryn Abigail Mannix, Summer, Amber, Jasmine, Analyn, Austin, Selena, Prentis Louis, Colin, Andrew, Emily and Colton Meister, Hunter Pone, Barron, Noah and Mason Ziegler. He was immensely proud of all of them.

Chris was fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID 19 and supported all precautions requested.  His burial in Washington Crossing National Cemetery will be private.  All are welcome to a memorial service for Chris at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2022, Grace Presbyterian Church, 444 Old York Rd., Jenkintown, PA.  Memorial contributions to honor Chris may be made to the Twilight Wish Foundation www.twilightwish.org and will be used to fulfill the wish of a Veteran.

We know that Chris joins us in thanking our friends who were also his caregivers, the doctors, nurses, counselors, therapists and other workers who, along with his warrior wife, kept Chris living a quality life despite his challenges, including keeping all ten precious toes and his heart of gold below the smile that we all loved.  Words could never express our gratitude.  You will stay in our prayers, and we believe also in his care.

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