QUANZ, Chris
Passed away as a result of a car accident on Sunday July 1, 2001. Chris just turned 25 years of age on May 13, and recently graduated with honours from George Brown College to start a career in financial planning with TD Waterhouse. Lovingly remembered by John and Elaine, Heidi and Liesl Quanz, Randy, Geri, Ben, and Lauren Grainger. Cherished grandson of Walter and Ruby Quanz, Roy and Ann Parker. Chris was buried at the Dixon Hill Cemetery near Markham, Ontario.
Christopher
John Quanz, son of John and Elaine, was born on May 13, 1976 at Toronto
General Hospital. He was a bright-eyed beautiful boy with a full head of
hair in a hurry to start life. When he was 3 months old his big brother
Randy entered his life and a special bond developed between them that never
wavered through the years.
Chris was
an inquisitive boy being able to pick up ideas and concepts very quickly.
This started with a Gadget box, that his father built for him when he was
2 or 3 years old, that required Chris to select a series of switches to
turn on lights or make a sound. For some of his school science projects
he put this inquisitiveness to use building a telegraph set and a solar
energy display. He only had a tiny bit of help from his dad.
Chris and
Randy were joined by sisters Heidi in 1979 and Liesl in 1982. It was also
in 1982 that Randy married Geri and moved to their own home.
When Chris
was 7 years old he received a model train set for Christmas and shared
a love of trains with his dad. They often went to model train shows together
and loved to climb around on old locomotives in museums, as I am sure you
saw in some of the pictures in the collages that Heidi and Liesl put together.
He attended
Anson Taylor Public School and Albert Campbell Secondary School in Scarborough.
It was during his final year of High School that he developed an interest
in business. The course of study included setting up his own clothing design
business that he called "Granny's Duds" because his Grandma Quanz kept
telling him to "get his duds on" when he was supposed to get dressed. In
this business he designed shirts and hats for skate-boarders, another passion,
and had them manufactured in Toronto and sold in Ontario and British Columbia.
Chris took several years off before starting his post secondary education.
He worked as a stock boy, counter sales clerk and telemarketer sometimes
working all three at once. He moved away from home working in Vancouver
for a short time and then spent several years in downtown Toronto. In 1999
he decided to go back to school to study Financial Planning at George Brown
College. He graduated with honours on June 15, 2001. Through his work placement
he had a job at TD Waterhouse as a stock trader licensed to trade across
Canada and internationally. He was proud of his achievement and excited
about his work.
Chris had
several hobbies that included "Techno" music, trains, a coin collection,
his stereo and cars.
Chris moved home in December 2000. It was a fun time for him being back
at home again with most of the family there. Several times during the last
few months he enjoyed his favourite desert, elderberry pie, made best by
his mom for any conceivable special occasion.
Last weekend
Chris went to a cottage with some of his friends. He was driving home on
Highway 6 late Saturday night so he could work his Sunday evening
shift. At about 11:45 PM his car went off the road south of Tobermory.
The first call to 911 went in before midnight and rescue and ambulance
crews arrived promptly but there was nothing they could do. Chris was already
gone.
Chris is sadly
missed by all.
The following tributes were given at the funeral on July 6, 2001 at the Markham Missionary Church.
A Tribute from A Friend
Heather Thurton Carmichael
Dear Chris,
I was thinking of you this week
and all these memories came flooding into my mind.
Just think I have been your friend for your entire life. I don't
think I can say that about anyone else, well except for Heidi and Liesl
but you were the first. My parents have a picture of me holding you
a few days after you were born. What an awesome thing to account
for, 25 years of friendship. We have quite a strong bond. It
is quite unique and there is something so comforting about the fact that
we have walked through the different stages of life together.
We really were something
when we were little. Real partners in crime. There are those
two stories that we seem to have become infamous for. That fight
we had about our dads and who was better. I said my dad owned the
church and you told me that your dad paid my dad so he was better.
Then there is my favourite story, me knocking my front teeth out on your
forehead. Only we would come up with the idea to race around the
church in opposite directions with one coming from the door on the right
and the other coming from the left and we ran into each other in the middle.
It has been a long time since I was a head taller than you. Oh and
by the way I do not believe that the scar is still visible. I mean
come on it has been 20 years. I on the other hand am sure that is
why my front teeth look like Chiclets.
You were pretty strong-headed
back then and I don't mean literally. Things always had to
get done your way, but I am sure that when you tell stories about us I
turn out to be the stubborn one. Ok, I’ll compromise we both liked
to get our own way.
There was one thing we could
always agree on and that was how to build a good fort. We used to
build the best ones in my basement. We would spend hours on them.
Oh remember that New Years Eve when your family came over for the evening
so our parents could play board games and you guys ended up staying for
3 days. I am sure that was the world's longest Trivia Pursuit game
or was it Monopoly. Anyway the fort we built that time took up my
whole rec room. We must have used every sheet and blanket my mom
had. Ah, those were the days, when life’s enjoyment could be found
in the construction of a good fort.
But life went on, puberty
hit and life got more complicated. Those days were a little harsh
on us. I mean those glasses we used to wear, could they get any bigger
and what was with my hair. Big mistake!
That was about the time
we started going to camp. We had some good times at Stayner and then
at Mishewah too. James was telling me a story about advance a couple
of days ago. Remember that house that had the swimming pool next
door to the campgrounds? Well you should because you, him, and a
bunch of guys from your cabin snuck into their back yard for a midnight
swim. I can’t believe you guys did that. Actually I can.
You and James together back then would definitely be a wild time.
You guys and your baggy pants, skateboards, and those hats with the pom-poms
on them that you bought at Stedman’s in downtown Stayner. There was something
about a Karaoke Bar too, but I won’t go into that one.
It was that same summer
that I was bummed out over this guy and you took me aside and told me how
pretty I was and not to worry over it. I don’t think you knew how
much that meant to me. At a time when I was really insecure about
who I was you really came through for me. Thank you.
I think you also had blonde hair that summer, or was it red, or was
that the summer of orange. Man Chris you coloured your hair more than I
did. Of course you managed to find your way back to your natural
colour. I on the other hand am not sure if I have a natural hair
colour anymore.
But through all the stages of adolescent experimentation we managed
to grow into mature, fashionable, good looking, well rounded adults.
(Hee hee, yea right, at least that’s what we want them to think).
Seriously though you are
a really great young man. I can say that because I am older and wiser.
You have always had a smile for me. My greeting always consists of
that amazing grin that always made you look like you were up to something,
your classic head nod, and then a great big bear hug. You have never
been stingy with the hugs. You have a kind and gentle spirit that
made it comfortable to be around you. Your laugh has never changed
and I can hear it in my head right now. I can’t even explain it but
it certainly was contagious. You have a tender heart Chris and in
this day and age that is a beautiful quality for a man to have.
A couple of months ago we
had breakfast and I could tell you were really coming into your own.
I am so proud of you for your determination in finishing college.
Good thing it was with honours because I am toying with having you do my
portfolio. That morning we spent hours being philosophical about
life. We talked about how so many people get lost along the way.
You said how glad you were for your upbringing and the example your parents
set for you. How they instilled good and real values and morals into
you. You were glad that they gave you such a rich and godly heritage.
You were thankful for the Christian principles that were engraved on your
life.
I am proud of the wonderful man you are. I am proud that we have
been friends for 25 years and that no matter what road we were travelling
on we always managed to find each other along the way.
They say blood is thicker
than water but for us, the water runs thick. I miss you
Love ya,
Heather
A Tribute from His Grandfather
Walter Quanz
I want to share with you
some Grandpa’s glimpses from the past, a tribute to my favourite grandson
– my only one. This is the most difficult thing I have ever attempted for
the simple reason that the roles are reversed, he should be making the
comments.
These last few days our
hearts have been broken over the loss of one we held so dear. What we have
left now are memories of the good times we have had together. As has been
said Chris was a fun loving guy, with a cheery smile and lots of friends
and he enjoyed practical jokes. As a small boy he used to tease his Aunt
Jo’s toy-poodle something terrible. He’s the only person that that poodle
would stay clear of until he turned his back and then the poodle would
make a dive for him. As he grew up he went from driving his little toy
Case tractor to sitting on his grandpa’s knee and driving the largest Case
4-wheel drive tractor they produced. At one of the Palmerston’s parades
we had the toy tractor in front with a piece of string between him and
the big 4-wheel drive. There’s nothing like a Case.
Heather mentioned a fact
that the Quanzes are known to be a little stubborn; we call it strength
although a lot of people call it stubbornness. I knew in his early childhood
that the financial field was a natural for him. Grandma always took him
shopping one day in the fall before school started. On one of those occasions
he had made his purchases and Chris was down to his last 10 cents. We had
passed a Farmer Jack Grocery and he had seen an ad for “Eggs – 10 cents
a dozen” but underneath it said with a ten dollar purchase. He said to
Grandma “I like eggs”. We had supper and breakfast to go in the motor home
before we came home. Grandma came to his rescue.
On another occasion I took
him fishing to one of those “pay-by-the-pound lakes”. That was a mistake
too. I soon found out who was the best fisherman.
Chris, as has been stated,
was a skateboard nut. Scrapes and bruises didn’t stop him. Not even pleading
advice from his grandfather. And so the next trip we took we went to Niagara
Falls and he had an address of some place in the US that he wanted to go.
He looked it up on the map and we drove and drove until we found the street
but there was no such number on that street. With more research Chris found
a street with the same name on the other side of town. We drove over there.
We found it in about the roughest part of Buffalo in an abandoned factory
with the windows boarded up and a little sign over the door with the name
of the place he wanted to go. I begged and pleaded with him not to get
out of the motor home. The strength came through. I’ll tell you who went
into the building first and it wasn’t me. I wouldn’t let him go alone.
Inside were two of the sharpest young fellows with a great business providing
good quality skateboard clothing and skateboard parts. I instructed my
wife to keep the motor home running, with the door locked, and only to
open it if we came running out and if she seen anyone else to drive away
and pick us up when we passed her somewhere.
On another occasion I put
a tape in the tape player and asked Christopher to listen to a favourite
speaker of mine with a tremendous message. He didn’t seem to be paying
much attention so when it was through I said Chris I’ll give you five dollars
if you can tell me what he said at a certain part. He looked at me and
I think he missed one word. It cost me another five bucks.
One summer he came up. He had to make some money. He was just a young
fellow. He painted our fence, he cleaned the yard, he painted the fence
and cleaned the yard. You know they have a way – granddad pays them once
and grandma pays them once. Then he went out to Murray and Elsie Nelson’s
to help unload bales of hay. This was a tough job for a young kid from
the city who is not used to it.
One Christmas holiday, Chris,
Heidi and Liesl came to Florida for their holidays and we picked them up
at the airport. I won’t tell you how long it took me to persuade myself
to take him home. It was orange Heather it was orange. Can you imagine
me taking him to a senior’s retirement village where they have a guard
at the gate and we all wear name tags? He went for a walk and the next
thing we heard over the public address system was that there was a stranger
in the park, beware. The camp manager came out and I went up to him and
said it was my grandson. He looked at me and we both had a laugh.
As I said Chris liked to
laugh, he liked practical jokes, like the time he called me on the phone,
he said who have I got? I recognized his voice so I said “The smartest
man in Ontario”. He said sorry I must have the wrong number.
Chris was an example of
love as so many of his friends have shared with us. A love at home, many
times when we were there so often we saw a new or different face and they
all seemed to be filled with love. But he learned that love at home, a
home that is filled with love. The kind of love that Jesus displayed when
he died on the cross for you and me. It’s a love that a lot of people today
don’t know anything about.
Then Chris went back to
school and when he did he finally found his niche in life. I think grandparents
can boast a little bit. We were proud when he graduated with honours in
Financial Planning. Having talked with his supervisor yesterday, he made
the statement that no matter what challenge they threw at him Chris met
it with flying colours. The staff and members at TD Waterhouse showed their
support as some 20 of them showed up yesterday; it spoke volumes and he
spoke a lot about them.
It was just at that point
where Chris seemed to have a great future ahead of him and it came to an
end. As a grandpa, to all my grandchildren, and I include in that all of
Chris’s friends, Heidi’s friends and Liesl’s friends, a few words of advice
for you. You have a great future ahead of you. Set your sights high and
aim for them and strive to reach them. You can do it. Choose a good lifestyle.
Watch those late hours, those travel times when sleep would catch up with
us or when distractions would take your eyes off the road. The Bible says
that the road is straight and narrow, we need to keep on it.
There is not one of us here
today that would not exchange the best day we have ever had to have him
back with us. Let’s cherish the thoughts we have and the good memories.
With all my love, Grandpa.
See you in the morning.
Walter Quanz
Chris’ Grandfather
This picture was taken on Sunday May 13, 2001,
Chris’s 25th Birthday and Mother’s Day
L to R: Chris, his mom Elaine and sisters Heidi and Liesl
A Tribute from His Brother
Randy Grainger
I had the
privilege of first knowing Christopher when he was born to John and Elaine
in the spring of 1976. A baby boy that was for a short time a stranger
to me but whom I quickly came to love as a brother and was proud to call
him so. I listened to his cries as a baby that kept the entire house up
at night, turn into his first words of chatter. I'm sure now that there
were times when I think Christopher just wanted to make sure someone was
listening to his voice of independence that would become a strength later
on in life.
I watched
as his first crawl turned into first steps that made everyone so proud,
a pride that I would have for him always. There were the evenings around
the dinner table when we would talk about our daily events while giving
Christopher … Topher as he was often referred to... a spoonful of his food
and watch him make a mess as he played with it, or threw it on the floor.
I would laugh at this, as it made him laugh he thought it was great fun.
Christopher
experienced the outdoors at a very early age when he went on his first
camping trip with the church Youth Group when he was only weeks old. He
attended many such events and trips including many Pitch and Praise weekends,
and quickly gained the reputation as the youngest person to attend. Through
this Chris became very well known and loved across the church community
that has lasted to this day.
It wasn't
long before Christmases and birthdays passed and Chris graduated from his
first ride toy to his first tricycle and then bicycle. He started to show
his determination when he insisted on riding around the neighbourhood on
his own although he wasn't quite old enough. Not wanting to listen to big
brother he did it anyway as I chased him down the street calling after
him.
Soon the time came for the family to grow, and Chris
was joined by sisters Heidi and Liesl. It was Chris's turn to take on the
role of big brother, a role that Chris would excel at and take much pride
in over the years.
Early on when
Heidi had her eye accident Chris walked around with one eye covered so
that he could experience what she was going through. He even took the time
to look for Heidi's eye in hope of finding it so that she could see again.
Later, Chris
knew all the right ways to annoy Heidi and Liesl but also knew how to be
a counsellor and a protector. Chris wanted to approve of things that were
going on in their lives, especially boyfriends. He was always willing to
share his experiences in dealing with life's issues. For Liesl this made
it easier for her to deal with Mom and Dad about her own mishaps. Chris
always wanted Heidi and Liesl to be a part of his life and they had become
great friends. He loved them dearly.
As Chris moved
into adolescence his independence and individualism flourished. He had
a way of expressing himself verbally and always said what was on his mind.
He always had a certain sense of humour in his expression; he liked to
joke with people and yes sometimes had to have the last word.
As a teenager
Chris expressed his desire to be himself and an individual through his
clothes, music and even his hair. We often wondered if he was ever going
to settle on a colour, but he was just happy to have hair to colour. Another
expression was his skateboard. For a time it was part of his identity.
He would take it with him wherever he went, or ride it up and down the
street while Heidi and Liesl would wax the curbs with crayons to make it
slide better.
His expressions
were not rebellious. I believe he just wanted to show us who he was. In
fact, he knew what was expected of him; an expectation that came by the
example set out by his mother and father in a Christian home that Chris
always came back to as a refuge and anchor for his life.
There were times later on when he left us wondering where
he was going. At times, some may have thought the path he took looked somewhat
crooked, to him it was straight and narrow, and he did have vision in life,
it just wasn't clear to us yet.
Chris often
lived outside of the box where he found his creativity and the vision for
the things he wanted to achieve. Chris always wanted to work for himself
to support his needs. Chris took his expression of fashion one step further
by creating his own company, Granny's Duds, a line of embroidered clothing
with his own unique design. Chris also did some modelling on the side and
even went to New York for a photo shoot.
He wanted
to have a life experience; he packed some things and took a trip out west
with a friend. He found an apartment and took a job and was able to support
himself for quite some time. To Chris this was another achievement of his
independence and determination to be his own person.
Chris had a special place in his heart set aside for
his mother who nurtured him from an infant and guided him through childhood
adolescence and finally adulthood to the strong person that we are all
proud of today. Chris could confide in his mother with the greatest of
trust. In return, without a second thought, he would do anything for her.
To Chris Mom was more than a mother; they were the best of friends.
To Chris his
father was someone he looked up to, his mentor and teacher, his companion.
He was inspired to be like him; he knew he had big shoes to fill, as the
bar seemed high. From his father Chris learned right from wrong, strength
from weakness, he learned about caring and compassion. He learned how to
grow from a boy to a man.
When my own
family went home to John and Elaine's, Chris went out of his way to be
there to see us. We talked, laughed and shared our experiences, as a family
would do. It seemed like Chris had something new going on every time we
talked to him. Chris had a fondness for children. Whenever we came over
he would play with Ben and Lauren just as I played with him. Ben insisted
he sleep with Chris whenever we stayed over, Chris was always willing to
accept. Geri will miss Chris's quirky emails; it made her feel special
knowing Chris thought to include her. She really enjoyed their conversations,
and always got a kick out Chris telling her just how “buff” he was. Just
next month we were all looking forward to Chris visiting us in Nova Scotia.
Chris respected
and looked up to his family and relatives, his parents and grandparents
and others that were close to him. He looked to them for example, wisdom
and direction. What he found in them he offered to others. He also valued
the example Pastor Thurton set out for his own life.
Chris valued his relationships with his friends. And
he has so many. He stuck by them in their time of need and offered a helping
hand in a variety of ways that you can't imagine. He often paid them a
visit; sometimes long other times just a quick hello. Or he would often
call them up just to check how things were going or to decide on a place
to meet. He loved to be with friends as he felt a sense of belonging with
them.
It was easy
to be a friend of Chris's because he made it easy to connect with him.
He would greet you with a firm handshake; a warm embrace and a smile that
made you feel at ease. He could light up a room, and when he walked in
the party started.
Just a few
short years ago Chris's vision was now clear to us, we knew where he was
headed. He pulled it all together. He was off to college to take Financial
Planning. I watched him from afar as he worked through this and achieved
his goal. And what an achievement he made. He passed his Canadian Securities
course and he graduated from George Brown Collage with Honours only a few
weeks ago. This was to be his final achievement but it also brought completion
to his life.
I am awe-inspired
by the number of family members, relatives, close friends, childhood friends,
high school friends, classmates from college and co-workers that came to
see Chris yesterday and that are here today. This in itself is a tribute
to Chris and an example of how well he was known and loved. I know that
Chris cherished his time spent with family and friends.
Our Dearest
Christopher, we can only thank God for bringing you into this world, if
only for a short time. Yet you accomplished so much and touched so many
of us in ways that I know are still yet unknown or unseen. We cannot know
the reasons why you have been taken from us; only God who holds the key
of life knows this. In life you inspired us, and now I look up you. In
death you will be a comfort to us as we remember you always.
So long until
we meet again my Brother.
Randy
This picture was also taken on Sunday May 13, 2001,
Chris’s 25th Birthday and Mother’s Day
L to R: John, Liesl, Chris, and Heidi
Thank You for Your Support
John and Elaine Quanz
There can be nothing more
difficult than losing a son or daughter. A piece of us dies with them leaving
an emptiness that can only be filled by God, and by the loving memories
that we share with those around us.
I don’t know how Elaine
and I could have made it through the past week with out our faith in our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The comfort God has given us has eased the
pain we feel.
We want to express our appreciation
for the support that all of you have shown to us during the last few days.
Chris’s friends have come
today to share our grief and to mourn the loss of a special friend. Jayme,
Rodney, Liz, Janet, Nina, Phil and everyone else. Thank you for being here.
Thank you for looking after our son when he wasn’t with us.
Chris’s friends and colleagues
from TD Waterhouse; We are overwhelmed with your response. So many of you
came to the funeral home yesterday and here again today. He was really
excited about working with you. It was a dream come true for him. Thank
you for your support today and for being here for Chris.
My friends from Sony, Your
friendship and support are really appreciated. I don’t know if you remember,
but Chris worked at Sony a few weeks on a project. He was so concerned
about how his appearance would reflect on me so he wore his glasses instead
of his contact lenses so the frames of the glasses would hide his eyebrow
ring. Chris travelled to Japan with me one time when I was going there
for meetings. We went out for a Shabu-shabu dinner with the Sony staff
the first night. I thought my career was finished when I saw Chris sit
beside our Senior Vice President Pat Whittingham and I was too far away
to intervene. Chris and Pat got along incredibly well though as they talked
about cars and stereo systems. Thank you again for coming today.
Our church friends from
Markham and all across Ontario; Thank you for being such an incredible
support with your prayers, your expressions of concern, the food you brought
over and the love you expressed. Peter and Doreen, thank you for being
there with Heidi and Liesl when they were first told about the accident
and then helping to reach us. Winston and Lois, Heather and Chris, as always,
you were at our side with your support and love. Our families are closer
than friends. Thank you.
Our family; Our parents,
our brothers and sisters, The Parkers, The Quanzes, The Ecksteins and the
Bramhills, We are so blessed to have such great families to help us share
this loss. It is with you that we share most of the memories of Chris.
Thank you for coming to our side. Thank you for sharing those memories
over the last few days. Thank you for sharing the laughs and the tears.
On Sunday morning it was much more bearable as we had Elaine’s sisters
and brother-in-law at our side at Mishewah when we heard the news. It helped
even more as you gathered around us coming from New Dundee, Palmerston,
Jan & Gary and the girls driving up from North Carolina, David, Bethany
and Faith-Ann driving all the way from Nova Scotia, and Mark & Sarah-Lee
driving over from Ottawa. Thank you for the sacrifice you have made. Thank
you for the love you have shown us.
Heidi and Liesl, you have
been so strong and supportive as we have cried together, as we laughed
about the things Chris did to you as you were growing up, and as we planned
the funeral. I wish we had been with you when you first learned of his
death. We love you and we’ll be together as we get used to a house without
Chris.
Randy and Geri, as any son
would do, you and Ben and Lauren, immediately came to our side. You and
Chris have always had a special bond right from those early days when you
cared for him if for no other reason than to get some sleep.
You are our son. We love
you. Thank you.
A cousin in
England wrote us an email Wednesday. In it Peter wrote "You need to weep
and pray at the moment but try to smile, too, when remembering the good
things you experienced together. Christians believe in Heaven. Sometimes
God takes a young life, like a gardener picks a flower coming into bloom
and we don't know why". Why is a question I have asked many times over
the last few days but I know God loves us much more than any gardener cares
for his flowers so I will trust Him.
Chris; we love you. We miss you – your smile, your bright eyes, your hugs.
But it will only be for a while. When you were a young boy you gave your
heart to God and accepted Jesus as your Saviour. I look forward to seeing
you again in heaven and having you greet me - with a big smile, a gleam
in your eyes and a welcoming hug.
See ‘ya Chris.
- End -