Korean War veteran, worked for Raytheon
Published in the December 16, 2015 edition
NOKOMIS, Fla. – Earl H. Christopher, 84 of Nokomis Fla., formerly of Lynnfield and Wakefield, passed away on Dec. 4 at his home in Nokomis.
Earl was born in Wakefield on June 15, 1931 and was the son of Vito and Ruth Christopher.
Earl was raised in Wakefield with his brother Paul (deceased), sisters Jean (deceased), Lois and Ruthie. As a boy, Earl took to running in road races, track and as a teenager won many races in Wakefield alongside his best friend Fred Confalone. Earl took to engineering, which paved his way to Tufts University, where he ran cross country, took on a full class load working toward a mechanical engineering degree and worked part time to help pay for college. He was smart, dedicated, hardworking, patient and humble with a dry sense of humor.
Earl was the beloved husband of Lois Arlene (Powell). It was love at first sight and they enjoyed an amazing loving life together, being married for over 58 years. While married, Earl completed his master’s degree at Northeastern University. They have three boys that they cherish: David and wife Malka of Honolulu, Hawaii; Mark and wife Victoria of Winthrop, Maine; and Joseph and wife Allyson of Ipswich. Earl loved and was so proud of his three grandchildren: Luke of Orlando, Fla. and Austin and Laurel of Winthrop, Maine. Earl loved and lived for his family and they were his guiding light and his daily motivation.
Earl was a Korean War veteran and was known for his amazing vegetable garden. He invented “do-it-yourself” and improving everything he touched by building additions on his home, replacing windows, painting the house. In his spare time, he loved hiking New Hampshire mountains and cheering his Boston sports teams, Red Sox, Patriot’s and Bruins.
Earl had an outstanding career at Raytheon, where he held many positions and made numerous and significant contributions. He retired from Raytheon in 1992 to start the next adventure in life, which included Lois and Earl moving to Nokomis, where he designed and built the home he lived in for the last 22 years.
Earl was loved and cherished by his wife, family and was thought of as the kindest of gentlemen.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield on Tuesday at noon. A visitation for relatives and friends was held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. Interment took place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield.
Memorial contributions may be made in Earl’s name to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston MA 02241-7005.
