Sue, Ellen and Natalie, Chris was such a great person. I wanted to pass along my heartfelt condolences and also let you know it was a beautiful service yesterday. It’s only fitting he spent his adult life with a beautiful wife and daughters. It’s important to know Chris made a big impression on another one of his Richmond buddies and UBC teammates. We had piles of fun and used to prepare for the football seasons together and work hard to be winners. He obviously carried this through in his life in Alberta with the family all these years. God bless you all, and god bless Chris,

David Thistle

I only knew Chris for 3 years while coaching football at Robert Thrisk, he enjoyed working with the young men he was coaching. He had a real love for the game. My condolences to his wife and family. May you rest in peace Chris, you will be missed.

Hannes Boundy

I got to know Chris in High school! He was a kind, caring, all round nice guy, that always had a smile for everyone!

He will be sadly missed by all!

My deepest sympathy to all his family!

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Debbie Cooper Lawson

Susan, Ellie and Nat,

We are sorry to hear that you have lost your husband and dad, respectively. It was too soon to have lost him. But please know he is with you all. Your husband/dad, his smile and his laughter will watch over you. Ellen as you said, he came to appreciate the sunrise and when you watch it, know that he is standing with you and admiring how wonderful it is. Natalie, when you tell your stories and jokes he will be laughing so hard that he will start crying. Susan, we can't image how hard it is to lose a husband and best friend. There are no magical words that will take the sadness each of your hearts are feeling away. With time each of your tears will be heartful memories of him, spiritual hugs and kisses maybe even written lists of goals for each and everyone of you.

When I would visit my husband Geoff in the office and I was lucky to cross paths with Chris or CT as I knew him, he had a smile that would catch your eye. In fact, when I ask about the family he proudly spoke of how well his girls are doing.

With Deepest Sympathy

Geoff, Giulia and James Mar

Thompson Family,

On behalf of the Mars, we offer our sincerest condolences for your loss. Out of all of the CBRE crew, I had worked with CT the longest. We did a lot of things 'in the old days' and have too many stories to relate here. CT was such a gentle soul and a wonderful person. He will be sorely missed.

I worked with Chris for 10 years at CBRE and have so many fun memories of times spent actually working. Chris was one of a kind and will be missed by so many. The on line service today was so wonderful and so heartfelt and I cannot thank you enough for allowing all of us to share this wonderful tribute to this amazing man, your Dad and your Best Friend.

Barbara Gibson

I first met Chris about 20 years ago. If I remember correctly we had a business meeting together with his partner Alistair somewhere at a pub or wine bar downtown. Such meetings would happen many more times...... Over the years I came to consider him a good friend. I fondly remember the smile on his face and his laughter as we were talking real estate but just as easily switched to sharing stories about things that had absolutely nothing to do with our professional lives. Actually that's usually what we started with. That was the way he was and I appreciated that. Chris had an ease about him that came natural. I will miss him both as a friend and as a professional. Life is literally too short.....I send strength and condolences to his family and others that cared about him. Thanks Chris. Stef

As with others here, I had the joy of knowing and working with Chris over the decades - his forthright approach and friendship going back some decades was always appreciated. Our thoughts are with Chris' family.

I met Chris many years ago as I believe we both joined CBRE around the same time. Although we didn’t work on any transactions together I have always had a great respect for him. A very down to earth individual who will be missed by all who knew him.

As with so many others, I feel very fortunate to have known Chris and to have been able to enjoy his great humour, passion for life, and his consummate desire to share and help others. His love for his family was undeniable and I feel so sorry that the "girls" and Susan will be without his physical presence but all of you will certainly have many memories to draw from. My sincere condolences and may Chris's strengths he shared with you help you through this difficult time. The world could use more people like Chris and his example will help spread that quality.

I had the honour of sharing the field with Chris at UBC! He was a fine man and will be sorely missed! The memories are like they happened yesterday and what memories they where!

Our thoughts are with all of Chris's family and friends. It was a beautiful service.

Love Toni and Lauren

I was so sorry to hear of Chris' passing. I really respected Chris as a professional, but more importantly, I respected and enjoyed Chris as a human being. We always shared a smile whenever we would run into each other at a conference or a function and we had many a good laugh together over the years. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to your entire family for your loss.

Don Goyan

Sorry to hear about Chris's sudden passing. My condolences to the family. Chris was one of the first guys I met at CBRE and enjoyed my conversations and interactions over the years since. Always looked forward to seeing Chris at our movie premieres over the years.

I first met Chris through sport. Our daughters often played on the same teams. He could be a little intimidating at first glance, but it didn't take long until he would be the one organizing our forays to the bar across the street, or the hotel lounge in whatever city the girls were playing. He was a great storyteller and a passionate human being. He didn't suffer fools lightly and he was true to himself always with his ideas and opinions. We were so sorry to hear of his passing. He gave so much and I'm sure he was planning on giving much more. Our sincere thoughts and prayers, ladies. He truly was one of a kind.

-The Vinnell family.

Deepest condolences to all of Chris’ family! He was a good man, a kind soul with a genuine honest sense of humour; his hilarious stores could generate laughs that stitched one’s abs till they hurt. Chris was sharp and professional in business and I enjoyed working with him in that role, but I am most thankful for the opportunity it provided to connect with a real good man. Our thoughts are prayers are with you all.

Ron

I met Chris in 8th grade at Cambie Jr. Secondary in Richmond. The qualities he had then as a teenager, were the ones he carried throughout his life. He was a person of great integrity, kindness, caring, intelligence, conviction, and compassion. Truly, an all-around nice guy. My deepest condolences to his beloved family.

Rita Aspeleiter Baydala

To the girls....I've known your dad for a long time. He was a huge part of our family growing up in Richmond. A great friend to all he met. He had a remarkable sense of humour and was like a big brother to me when I was younger. He taught me how to throw a football, hit a baseball among so many other things. He also told me he was a fast runner - what he didn't know was that I was faster....one day in particular, I was mouthing off - telling him he was an old man and he threatened to catch me and pull my pants down, spank me in front of all my friends. When he wasn't looking, I snuck up behind him and pulled his pants down! He looked at me and very calmly said "you'd better run kid" - which I did! He almost caught me too! We laughed at that threw the years - every time we met! On another occasion he caught me skipping out of school. He didn't tell my Mom - he simply grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and walked me back to class! He was a great influence on me and I will never forget him. Thank you Chris for the laughs, the Christmas dinners, weekends watching football and just being there! I will miss you my friend, 'til we meet again someday!

Love you,

Kirky

(Kirk Burdeny)

We met Chris and his beautiful family at Pine Lake about 14 years ago, we all lived on the street we called Peasant Alley. Oh the merriment and laughter he brought to our very long and colourful sessions around the campfires. He had this wonderful ability to make us laugh until we cried with his hilarious stories of simple events that happened to him, he was a terrific raconteur. And nary a night went by that either his cell phone ended up in his drink or he burnt his 'good' shorts' from hot things jumping out of the campfire. So many memories of him organizing or participating in volleyball tournaments on the beach, baseball games, bocce and chuckwagon races. He was so proud of Sue, Ellie and Natalie, his love and devotion to each of you was unwavering. We honour you Chris, a man filled with compassion, intelligence, kindness, humility, integrity and humour. You left this world much too soon, rest in peace friend.

Bill and Michelle

I met Chris back around 1981 when he played at UBC with Al. Of course Al and Andy’s place on Williams helped to get to know him and then of course, the Keg. Being 6 years younger (16-17 at the time) I was awed by these football jocks. Chris always took the time to include me and even made it a mission to get this baby faced kid into the Hyatt for drinks.

In the years since, Chris became a friend. The sports talks we all have via email have been a mainstay for close to 2 decades and will continue, but will pale with Chris’ absence. His rapier wit and almost savant like recall of sports stats and/or game day strategies date way back and taught me so much. Making me laugh myself silly on numerous occasions.

I will miss his daily input terribly.

More than that though, I’ll miss his spirit. His passion for football and baseball sure, but his intense pride and commitment to family and friends. There was a loyalty there that you see too little of these days and I was lucky to be a part of it.

More than anything, I’ll remember Chris for his fierce family connection. He was so proud of Ellie and Nats and waxed on about them constantly (and well he should have). I know he’ll always be with you girls, and Susan of course, smiling down from above knowing you’ll be fine.

Chris, thanks for being my friend. Always. Thanks for the lessons along the way. I love you like a brother and will miss you terribly. Until we meet again.

Craig Story on behalf of my family

Dearest Susan, Ellie and Natalie,

As I continue to read the tributes for Chris, I’m reminded of the remarkable husband and father you were privileged to have as part of your family. Despite his now shortened time, his influence in developing you-Ellie and Natalie- into nurturing and intelligent women will be part of his legacy. And Susan, your profound love for Chris is an example to be emulated. We feel sorrow in no longer sharing his wit, humour and intelligence, but take solace in having had the opportunity to have known this genuinely good person. Warm hugs, as you cherish your memories, Rudolf and Gwyneth

Dear Sue, Ellen and Natalie, My heartfelt condolences on Chris' passing. Chris will be sorely missed by family and friends and his huge family of friends in the real estate community. He was highly respected, smart, mild mannered, laughed and smiled easily and had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. From a business perspective Chris didn't need to lead but he sure as heck didn't follow - he did things his way, which is a trait that I admire. We have lost a truly good person.

My shirt story goes back to 1995 and will be shared when we are able to raise a glass in person to celebrate Chris' life.

Know that you are in my thoughts and prayer.

My Memory of Chris began when I met his older brother, John, whom I eventually married and had 34 years with before he passed on, so I have known Chris pretty much all of his life. He was a cute, blond-haired mischievous little guy, who was always up to something - sometimes good and sometimes not so good, but always entertaining. He never really changed. His hair may have gone from blond to grey, but you always knew when Chris was around. He had a wonderful presence, and we spent many hours together talking about both the present and the past. His Dad died when he was 16 and that had a huge affect on his life as he became "the man of the house" at a very young age, so had to grow up too quickly, but it did teach him responsibility and kindness towards others. Sue and his two girls meant the world to him, and he would brag for hours about their accomplishments. We shared many tears and many laughs together, as I think he considered me his surrogate Mom and I certainly considered him more than a brother-in-law. To me he was a best friend and confidante, so I will say good-bye with tears in my eyes, and love in my heart.

Good-bye Chris, Love you, Hugs, Bev.

It is with so much sadness that I learned of Chris' passing. I count myself fortunate to have known him for 40 years and counted myself as a friend, although I know Chris had many of them. He attracted friends and people naturally to him due to his easy manner and big heart. My favourite memories of Chris are from our years playing together on the "Dukes" the slo pitch team that he organized for years. It was a mixed men's and women's team and he welcomed all no matter their ability. Not to say he wasn't competitive because he was and he preferred to win. In that regard he may have even suggested I spend a little time in the batting cage for practice before the games! The Dukes were a highlight of summers for years and Chris was Manager, organizer and team cheerleader. Our sponsor, the Rose and Crown pub recouped their investment many times over in beer consumed after the games. Yesterday I brought out my Dukes jersey, found in the deep reaches of a drawer and put it on in his honour. The jersey had #1 on it for some reason, that should have been his number. So long Chris, the world is a poorer place in your absence.

Don Archibald

Chris was an exceptional guy with a great sense of humour. Over the years we did a number of lease deals and he was always professional and forthright. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to his family.

Chris was one of a kind! To know Chris was to enjoy his company, respect his business sense and feel a better person for knowing him. His memory will live on, not only for what he did in his all too short life, but also in the legacy of those in his life; Sue, Natalie and Ellen. My sincere condolences to you all and take comfort in the knowledge that Chris was one of good, VERY good guys!

-Melvin Foht

I have known Chris for over two decades . Metaphorically speaking we played for different teams but we shared the ice dozens of times over the years. He was a kind and generous and he had exceptional integrity..

He attained great success both professionally and personally and yet he was humble and approachable.

My deepest condolences - he will be greatly missed by all.

Jeff McGinley

My condolences to your family, Susan, Ellen and Natalie. I graduated from both Junior High School and Senior High School with Chris. He was a great mentor and close friend. Chris was my room mate with Wayne Burdeny at the "Oak House" early in his life. We participated for several years in the annual Polar bear swim and were team mates on touch football and slow pitch softball teams. Chris was a true leader in all aspects in life, he was there to listen to your problems and always supported you. Chris excelled in all areas of life.... family, work, sports and friendships. I will miss him immensely and my thoughts and prayers are with you Susan and your family.

Phil Ens

Our condolences to Chris' family. I played football with Chris in High School. He was our quarterback and was a fierce competitor on the field but a great person off the field. We are so pleased that he was so successful with his family, his career and his community. A life well lived.

Brad & Joanne Armstrong

Dearest Ellie and family ....although we only met your father during a wedding in Mexico , we enjoyed his sparkling smile, gentleness and his love for his “girls” all of them . Chris may be gone in his physical being but your love for him will NEVER be gone. Our hearts ache for your sadness at this time

Donna & Ron , Connor Matthezing

Sue, Ellie and Natalie:

Our family is so sorry for your tragic loss. Chris was always friendly and easy to talk to when our paths crossed. We want to offer our heartfelt support and prayers for you girls and your family. Anything we can do to help you get through this difficult time of grief, we are close at hand as neighbours and friends.

With sadness and care,

Carol, Brad & Brian

Chris was a wonderful human being. He was a team player and a stand up work colleague. I always enjoyed our interactions and thoroughly enjoyed his dry and somewhat misplaced sense of humour. Especially the deterioration of his clean dress shirt throughout the day. My sincerest condolences to his family. I share your loss.