Dr. Alfred William Christopher

Dr. Alfred William Christopher, Jr., MD, known by many as Chris or Dr. Chris, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7, surroundedby his devoted family. Loving husband, father and grandfather, Dr. Chris lived with his family in Livingston, New Jersey for 53 years. Dr. Chris was on hospice for the last 3 and a half years (including during the pandemic) and his family was able to keep him comfortable at home. This was important to him and his children felt honored to be there for him.

Bom andraised in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Chris was a radiologist at Dover General Medical Center from 1970 until his retirement in 1996. Before that, he served as a flight doctor in the U.S. Air Force froml957until 1969 and served for some time as an attending physician for General William Westmoreland. He resigned with the commission of Major. While serving in the Air Force, Dr. Chris andhis family were stationed in England, Buffalo, New York, the Philippines, and Biloxi, Mississippi. He graduated from New York University in 1953 with his B.S. degree and from SUNY (Downstate) medical school, with his M.D. in 1957.

In 1956, Dr. Chris married the love of his life, Medley (nee Meredith) and they were married for 48 years until she passed away in 2004 (almost 20 years ago). They had four beautiful children and four even more beautiful grandchildren. Their life was filled with adventures, many moments of hilarity and innumerable acts of selfless service. He was the grounded, supportive straight man to her “whimsical” side. What a combination they were! Dr. Chris had a strong faith. He and Medley were very active and loved in their parish, St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church in Livingston. He served as President of the Parish Council, was a founding member of the Livingstones Prayer group since 1970, and served as a Eucharistic Minister and lector for many, many years.

Chris and Medley were avid and passionate bridge players and regularly played on Friday and Saturday nights. They led a very active social life! Dr. Chris especially loved playing golf and was an active member of the Old Guard, in Livingston, since 1996. He served as recording secretary, vice president, president and treasurer. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1970 and was a tax volunteer for senior citizens in Livingston, since 1997. Dr. Chris was always “a number’s guy”. His memory for dates and his ability to solve pretty much any math problem immediately in his head is legendary within our family.

Chris and Medley loved to travel and spent summers at their family cottage in Cap Pele, New Brunswick, Canada. When their children were young, Medley and the children would spend the entire summer there, while Dr. Chris would only get 2 weeks as he had to work. This was such an amazing gift for his children. After retirement, they spent their summers in Cap Pele without their children and Dr. Chris spent countless hours on house repairs and lawn work.

Dr. Chris is survived by daughters Michele Christopher and Suzanne (George) Fotiadis and son Michael; and Dr. Tom (Micha) Truong of Wichita, Kansas, whom Medley and Chris loved and helped raise. He is also survived by his sister, Sister Lois Christopher OSF (Order of Saint Francis) of Allegany, New York, and his sister-in-law, Nancy Krummenoehl of Highland, Maryland. Dr. Chris is also survived by many nieces and nephews (Krummenoehl’s, Raskin’s and Meredith’s) and many god-children, that he helped along their path.

He had four grandchildren, Siaka (Christopher), Miatta (Christopher), Julia (Fotiadis) and Olivia (Fotiadis); and two honorary grandchildren, London (Truong) and Piper (Truong).

He was predeceased by his wife, Medley, his son, Peter and his parents, Beatrice (nee Browne) and Alfred William Christopher, Sr.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 19 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. A frmeral mass will be held immediately following the viewing at 11 a.m. at St. Philomena Church, Livingston, with interment to follow at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, NJ.