Welcome to the memorial page for
Christopher Michael Festa
February 22, 1961 ~ June 19, 2017 (age 56) 56 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Glenn Hendler
October 26, 2017 6:04 PM
I'm very sorry to be posting this so long afterward--I only just heard the news when our mutual alma mater, Foote, sent it out. Chris and I were very good friends back then in junior high school, and continued to be friends when we were at the same high school for a time. I have so many fond, warm memories of spending time at his house, in awe at his ability to play numerous Elton John tunes on the piano. We fell out of touch before we became adults, and I'm deeply sorry we never reconnected before we all lost him. I remember him as a really individualistic, distinctive, and deeply good-hearted person, and though of course people change over the years, I'm sure those didn't. If anyone is monitoring this site months later, please pass on my condolences to his parents, whom I remember will, but also to his wife, whom I never met.
A candle was lit by Jack Chin
on October 25, 2017 2:34 AM
A candle was lit by Suzanne Stuttman
on September 1, 2017 4:54 PM
Message from Tricia
June 29, 2017 7:06 PM
My sincere condolences to your family. May God who comforts us in all our trials (2 Cor 1:4) comfort you and your family at such a difficult time. I know God will help you to endure because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Tricia
Tricia
Message from John Zinsser
June 25, 2017 9:46 PM
I learned of Chris's death from Marty Feier, via a posting on a Hammonasset School Facebook group. Very sad for me, thinking about Chris, this past weekend.
We were close friends while I was at Foote School in New Haven in the mid-1970s, having recently moved to New Haven from New York City.
We spent a lot of time at the Festa's house on Autumn Street (?), a block-and-a-half from the school, in Gene and Mae (?) 's basement. It was there that Chris and Gene had built the scale Darlington Superspeedway AFX slot car track on adjoining large tabletops.
Chris had Richard Petty's #43 and could do a mean impression of the driver's Southern drawl, along with an impression of TV motorsports reporter Chris Economaki's reports from the pits on ABC's "Wide World of Sports." I had David Pearson #21 and Buddy Baker #44. As, two Northerners, we were devoted to Nascar racing. We customized the AFX cars using parts from the Pennsylvania-based Auto World mail-order catalogue, waiting endlessly for boxes to come in the mail with magnets, brake shoes, modeling paste etc. The track had scale buildings and figures, also, thanks to the Festas working for Cesar Pelli architects.
I still have a scar on my forehead from gashing open my head on a metal heating duct in that basement at the bottom of the stairs.
From Foote School and all its ridiculousness, Chris would say, "Try to imagine how little I care."
Chris's parents loved him very much and were devoted to him.
I saw him only once as an adult in New York City, about 20 years ago, following a memorial dinner for Kirby Simon, another Foote School classmate who died too young. We had a drink afterwards at the Royalton Hotel. And Chris was much the same as I had known him, funny and personable, with lots of passion for his specialty interests.
My condolences go out to his parents, whom I remember fondly, and any other family members. --John Z.
We were close friends while I was at Foote School in New Haven in the mid-1970s, having recently moved to New Haven from New York City.
We spent a lot of time at the Festa's house on Autumn Street (?), a block-and-a-half from the school, in Gene and Mae (?) 's basement. It was there that Chris and Gene had built the scale Darlington Superspeedway AFX slot car track on adjoining large tabletops.
Chris had Richard Petty's #43 and could do a mean impression of the driver's Southern drawl, along with an impression of TV motorsports reporter Chris Economaki's reports from the pits on ABC's "Wide World of Sports." I had David Pearson #21 and Buddy Baker #44. As, two Northerners, we were devoted to Nascar racing. We customized the AFX cars using parts from the Pennsylvania-based Auto World mail-order catalogue, waiting endlessly for boxes to come in the mail with magnets, brake shoes, modeling paste etc. The track had scale buildings and figures, also, thanks to the Festas working for Cesar Pelli architects.
I still have a scar on my forehead from gashing open my head on a metal heating duct in that basement at the bottom of the stairs.
From Foote School and all its ridiculousness, Chris would say, "Try to imagine how little I care."
Chris's parents loved him very much and were devoted to him.
I saw him only once as an adult in New York City, about 20 years ago, following a memorial dinner for Kirby Simon, another Foote School classmate who died too young. We had a drink afterwards at the Royalton Hotel. And Chris was much the same as I had known him, funny and personable, with lots of passion for his specialty interests.
My condolences go out to his parents, whom I remember fondly, and any other family members. --John Z.
Message from Fred G
June 24, 2017 7:31 AM
My heartfelt condolences for the loss of your beloved, Christopher. Please know that Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ is aware of your pain and they care for you. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4) . I pray that you are able to find comfort in God's promise of paradise where there will be no more pain and sorrow (Revelation 21:4,5) and the many wonderful memories of your loved ones becoming a reality in the future resurrection in paradise. (Acts 24:15). Please accept my sincere condolences.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/videos/#mediaitems/VODMinistryTools/pub-wsb_E_x_VIDEO
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/videos/#mediaitems/VODMinistryTools/pub-wsb_E_x_VIDEO
A candle was lit by Debbie and Sue ( Grooming by Debbie )
on June 22, 2017 10:13 AM
Message from Terence Wight
June 21, 2017 12:11 PM
To all of Chris' family: my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy. Chris and I went to Foote School together for 6 years and we were best friends. Some of my earliest memories are of sleepovers at the house a few blocks away from school. We spent hours playing with G.I. Joe's and if I remember correctly, he had an impressive collection of them.
We met again at Hammonasset School, but I regretfully never took the time to bond with him again. It was a difficult time for me.
I will always remember that he was the very first friend I had as a child, followed by Mason Sleeper, and only a few others. He was a special part of my life and I'm saddened to learn of his passing.
Love to all of his family.
Respectfully,
Terry Wight
We met again at Hammonasset School, but I regretfully never took the time to bond with him again. It was a difficult time for me.
I will always remember that he was the very first friend I had as a child, followed by Mason Sleeper, and only a few others. He was a special part of my life and I'm saddened to learn of his passing.
Love to all of his family.
Respectfully,
Terry Wight
A candle was lit by Terence Wight
on June 21, 2017 12:01 PM
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