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Christopher Draney Obituary
Chris was born on Sept. 10, 1965, in Lincoln, the youngest of Robert and Geraldine Draney's three sons. He graduated from Lincoln East High School and attended Doane College in Crete, where he was a member of Alpha Pi Epsilon fraterity. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1988, with a degree in geography.
After a time in Boston, he moved to Maine with his life partner, Glenn Calvert, in 1998. He was a long-time employee of Verizon, who took his greatest pleasure and pride in cooking gourmet meals for his family and friends, and sharing with them his love of animals, plants and the ocean.
He is survived by: his life partner, Glenn Calvert, of South Portland, Maine; his mother, Geraldine Draney, of Lincoln; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Dan Draney and Maïté Dubourg of Lincoln, and Bruce and Andrea Draney of Omaha; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends and others whose lives he touched and in whose hearts he will always be remembered.
Celebration of life service: 11 a.m. Thursday, First Congregational Church, South Portland. A remembrance service is planned for Chris in Lincoln at a later date. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Friends and family can share their memories and pictures of Chris at www.picasaweb.google.com/abelincoln81/ChrisDraney. Memorial contributions can be made in Chris' honor to The Humane Society, Goodwill Industries, Doane College, or the charity of the donor's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Draney
Jeff Wilson
October 19, 2007
Dear Glenn and all of Chris's family. During high school I was a complete nerd yet Chris was always kind and supportive. You have lost a wonderful partner, son, and brother. Please know that he touched many lives with his bright eyes and broad smile. My partner and I mourn for your loss.
Kurt Armstrong
October 5, 2007
Dear Glenn and Draney family,
Please accept my dearest condolences. I was so saddened to hear of Chris' passing. May you all find some comfort from the warm memories recounted by Chirs' many friends. I got a kick out of Chris during his short time in the fraternity at Doane College. May the good Lord relieve you from the pain you now feel, and leave you with wonderful memories of Chris.
Angela Tyrrell
September 4, 2007
Dear Draney family & Glenn:
I was in the theatre w/Chris @ Doane and acted as his occassional date when protocal called for such. Although we both left Doane in 1988, I kept in touch w/Chris for awhile and have often thought of him. I saddened to read of your loss. He had a great sense of humor and was so smart and stimulating to be around. What a great guy. Your family is in my prayers.
Melinda Jacobsen
May 7, 2007
Gerry and Family.. I met Chris during my High School Years. Chris was a great guy and a good friend. He will be missed. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time of loss.
Nancy Calvert Huddleston
May 6, 2007
Dear Brother Glenn,
What a gift you gave our family when you met Chris and fell in love. I loved him sooooo much and I truly felt he was my 4th brother. He was always so kind and considerate and always wanted the best for me. Now , he has the best with our Loving Father in Heavan. He is smiling down upon us all and our lives are forever changed for the profound effect he had on each of us. Glenn, I am here for you 24/7 and I know that GOD will totally Bless you. Danny, Mary Calvert and I all are praying for you and share in this great loss of Chris. Lots of love, your sister, Nancy
Julie Anne Cvedjlk
May 5, 2007
My condolences to Chris's family and friends. I attended East High in Lincoln,Ne with Chris. We met the first week of school and I remembered having had such a crush on him and while nothing ever came of it, he was a wonderful friend with a great sense of sarcastic humor that I could really relate to. I only wish that I had been able to spend more time with him, but my family moved at the end of the year and we lost touch until meeting again working together at the Hard Rock Cafe. I was amazed how much he had changed, but of course for the better. Chris was always a hoot and will be sorely missed.
Leah Bellando
May 4, 2007
Dear Glenn, it's been a very long time friend... I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Even though I only met Chris once I know how much you loved and cared for him. My love and prayers are with you and his family. xo KIWI
Jacqueline Crocker
May 3, 2007
Dear Gerry,
I'm very sorry for your loss. It sounds like Chris enjoyed love and friendship his whole life. You mentioned him many times during the past few years, so I know he was held close in your heart. Chris had a distinctive smile, it reminded me of yours, and I know in this time of loss your memories of him shine as brightly as ever. With sympathy,
Colleen and Jamie Strobino
May 3, 2007
Dear Glenn,
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you, Chris's family and your family at this time. We mourn with you from afar and hope to be with you soon to offer any comfort we can. Our dear sweet friend,may the kindness and love you've given to so many come back to you and help you through your loss.The wonderful life that you and Chris shared and the happines you brought to each other will always warm our hearts. We will always treasure our memories of Chris.
All our love,
Miranda Rooney
May 3, 2007
Dear Glenn, my heart goes out to you. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. ~Miranda at Goodwill
Marc Lovely
May 2, 2007
Hello Glenn,Greldine,Dan & Burce, and all Family.
I cannot imagine your Grief and sadness during this time of mourning.
To loose someone so young is very difficult. I'm at a lost when someone younger than me passes.
So many great memories you have as do others who remember Chris.
We Celebrate Chris together.
Remembering the Man.
May 2, 2007
Dear Glenn & family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. You and Chris have touched so many lives with your extraordinary kindness, warmth & humor. It is my hope that the joy you've given will be returned to you and that you will feel the love & support of family & friends to help heal the pain of these difficult times.
Love,
Sharri Miller-Regan
(former Hard Rock Cafe staff)
Eric O'Sullivan
May 2, 2007
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Draney,
I worked with Chris, side-by-side in Boston years ago back in the Hard Rock Cafe and I was shocked to hear of his passing. Chris' sense of humor was always welcomed by this person and I've always remembered him fondly. My deepest heartfelt condolences to you.
Dear Glenn, my old friend I mourn with you. I wish I was by your side in this time in person and not in spirit. I'm more sorry than ever that it's been years since I've seen you. You are one of the kindest & biggest hearted people I've met in this world...all my love & peace to you at this time, Glenn.
William Smith
May 2, 2007
Our deepest sympathies go to the entire Draney family and Glen as you cope with the loss of your beloved Chris.
Pamela Gattinella Mouradian
May 2, 2007
To Glenn and all of Chris's Family. I am so sorry for your loss. Working with Glenn back in Boston HR I got to know Chris and he was such a wonderful person. My deepest sympathies for your loss. Pam
Mary Mohr
May 2, 2007
Gerry, Glen, & Family,
Gerry, I want you to know that you, Glen, & Your Family are in my thoughts and prayers. We have been out of touch, but I wanted you to know I am with you in spirit at this time. May God Bless you all and keep you in his Loving Embrace. Love, Mary
Greg Fleming
May 1, 2007
Mr. & Mrs. Draney & Family:
I'm very sorry for your loss. Chris was a terrific person. I remember coaching him in swimming at Meadowlane Pool, and at East. He was a hard worker, and he was great in the water, and in the classroom.
Take care
Coach Fleming
Cathy & David Levasseur
May 1, 2007
Dear Glenn
Cathy and I feel such a loss with the passing of Chris. He was an wonderful person. We enjoyed hearing how "warm" the water was at Willard Beach, learning about the various spices and flowers in your garden, and the occasional drink on a warm summer evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during his difficult time.
Diana & John Klebenow
May 1, 2007
Our thoughts & prayers are with Chris's mother, brothers & families, as well as with Glenn in your time of great loss. God bless you & comfort you all. Love always!
Storm Gage
May 1, 2007
I can not even begin to name all the wonderful times shared with Chris and his interactions with colleagues from our work….New Orleans, Orlando (what a blast we all had!!!) or simply driving and seeing him in his vehicle with the roof down enjoying the summer breeze always recognizing his vehicle amongst the many with his vanity license plate. He always smiled and waved – either by himself coming home from work (I always saw him driving on the Million Dollar Bridge) or just driving/riding with Glenn around the Portland area. I know he touched so many lives… I will miss him…dearly…
Sadly,
Jim Tews
April 30, 2007
Chris will be missed by everyone he touched, especially by those of us who knew him best. I first met Chris on the 9th grade swim team at East High in Lincoln, Nebraska. At first, I only knew him as "the kid with the pink towel" but we soon became best friends and spent the majority of our time together in high school. We spent endless hours campaigning for Republican Charlie Thone for Governor. (Yes, Chris did this!) Although college took us in different directions, we still managed to keep in touch. Chris and Glenn would come down to Florida to visit every year and we occasionally made it up to Maine. I loved talking with Chris about microclimates, geography, and other "nerdy" conversations that anyone else would have been bored with. I will especially miss Chris's biting, sardonic humor which we both shared. To Glenn, please know that you have more friends than you can count, and that you are family to all of us.
Jodi Rethmeier
April 30, 2007
Glenn & Geri,
I am so very sorry. Chris was a beautiful blessing in my life for the last 23 years. I will forever hear his laugh, see his smile, and feel his supportive arm around me. God bless you & support you in your time of sorrow. I am so very sorry. Jodi (Flynn) Rethmeier
Calvin & Jessica Gilbert
April 30, 2007
Glenn,
Sorry for your loss, please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Lori and Allan Huff
April 30, 2007
Dear Glenn,
Words cannot express how sorry we are to hear about Chris. Our prayers are with you.
Kristin Davis
April 30, 2007
Dear Glenn,
Patrick and I are sending you 1000 hugs ~ I couldn't have been luckier to work next to him, laugh with him, and smile with him. He will be so missed and celebrated. All our love, thoughts and prayers, Kristin & Patrick Davis
jacqueline beatty
April 30, 2007
Dear Glenn,
Our family is heartbroken over the loss of Chris. Such a gentle and kind man.
Adam Cowan
April 30, 2007
Glenn:
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I never met Chris, I felt like I knew him through the stories you told. I wish you nothing but the best during this difficult time, may god be with you and family members at this time.
Pat Carter
April 30, 2007
Dear Glenn,
I am so sorry about your loss. Words cannot express the sympathy I have for you, your family and friends at this time. My memories of Chris will always be when we spent time together up at John's and they are fond memories. Hope your memories of your time with Chris, your faith and friends will get you through this tough time. My prayers are with you.
Kim Wogan
April 30, 2007
I am sorry Glenn and to all of Chris's family and friends we have lost a great friend. He will be missed so much.
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