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Jerry Christie Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Christie
Anthony Cirocco
December 29, 2009
I was fortunate enough to call Jerry my friend. When I heard the news of his passing, I started to think about a great many things. Things such as;
Frank Sinatra
Big Band music
The Ed Sullivan Show
Jackie Gleason
Walter Cronkite
Getting away from it all, where there are no cell phones, text messages or tweets
Taking time to help others even though we don’t have the time
Living by neighbors who care and involved in your life (in a good way)
Block parties
Drive-in theatres
Doctors making house calls
Roller skating rinks
In my mind, these are wonderful treasures that just aren’t with us anymore. Jerry fits in that category. When I heard he passed, I thought about a great many things, but mostly I thought about the way he treated others and the way he treated me – like people mattered and I was special. No one more than Jerry, believed that one should spend time fostering relationships with the people in their lives. We just don’t seem to do that anymore. Some of us never did. We’re too busy. We don’t make the effort and don’t take the time. Jerry made the effort and took the time, which is why I will miss him now that he is gone.
I was fortunate enough to have some really special people in my life. And Jerry was one of those people. I felt lucky to know him. His character, guidance and wisdom influenced me in such a way that I believe is a big part of who I am today.
I’m not sure why, but Jerry took an interest in me early in my career. He seemed to pay special attention to me. He made me feel important and he made me feel smart. He had a way of making me feel like every decision I made was the right one.
When we met for lunch or dinner at his favorite table at Mulberry Street, we would catch up on a great many things. Things such as what was happening at work and in my life. He would ask questions as if things in my life were infinitely more important than what was going on his life.
He had a way of treating me like I was the most important person in the world. He spent most of his time listening and very little time talking. He would ask how something turned out by recalling in great detail, something I shared with him some time ago. He was good at that for two reasons: his cared about people and demonstrated that by being good listener and he was intelligent enough to remember all of the details. Of course, he did in his low key sort of way.
After spending time with Jerry and after we said our goodbyes, I would realize that I ended up doing all the talking and didn’t leave any time for him to talk about himself. He seemed to be so interested in me and my family, that I never had the chance to find out what was going on about him. What new deal was he working on? How was his health? What was he doing with his friends? Did he enjoy the holidays? Things like that. He never talked about himself and quite frankly, I’m sure he planned it that way. Again, he treated me like I was more important than him.
When it came to conducting business with him, he would always send personal hand written notes of “thanks” after receiving a payment, as if to suggest I was doing him a favor when in reality he helped me out when I needed him most. He took the time to write these notes because he was demonstrating that I was worth his time and effort and that he genuinely cared about me and my family.
You never really knew all that he accomplished, because to him, it was not about going on about his own self importance. He never talked about his credentials and his accomplishments. In fact, there were times I wish I chose dentistry as a profession, because it was like pulling teeth getting the real story on how influential he was in matters of business or how connected he was with people in high places - unless of course he referred you to one of his friends when you needed help.
Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, and scholar, believes that we grieve when someone dies not only because we will miss them, but also because we realize that we missed the opportunity to say so many things to that person before they left us. Things such as; how we felt about them, what they meant to us, how thankful we were for things they did for us, to name a few. We also we missed the opportunity to say “goodbye”.
There are things that we appreciate today that we know we will miss when they are gone. Things like public libraries that are still free, commercial free TV and radio such as PBS and NPR, national parks and museums, and for many friends of Jerry living in Southern California, listening to Vin Sculley call a Dodgers game. We know we appreciate these things and we know we will miss them when they are gone, but we don’t seem to do enough to appreciate them while we have them.
As of December 5, 2009, I am one of those people. As I mentioned earlier, Jerry was a wonderful treasure that just isn’t with us anymore. I regret that I didn’t spend enough time with him while I had the chance. In fact, my wife and I decided that we would visit him and Diana shortly after the holidays because it sounded like his health was deteriorating at an even more rapid rate. I missed that opportunity.
I can only hope that, from this point forward, I will think of Jerry when dealing with people in my life. I will try to be a better listener, try to gain a better realization that we are only as important as the people we help, and try to make more of an effort to demonstrate that I care to the important people in my life.
Jerry was a great friend, a great influence, and I will miss him.
Sharon McConnell
December 26, 2009
Our family's lived next door to each other on Malvern until they moved across town.But our families remained close even after they moved. Jerry and I always remained close,no mattered where I was living I always heard from him and he was always there when I need advice, He was a great guy and will never be forgotten.
December 16, 2009
i was a small boyhen my father went to mt christie a childhood freind of his when we were going thru a very very difficult time and mr christie went more than out of his way to help us even bringing tears to my mothers eyes when we got everything completed and he saved our home for us may he rest with the angels he will always hold a special place in my heart rest in piece mr christie
RUBEN R. MORALEZ AND FAMILY
With Jerry at his Favorite Restaurant
Cara Kroeker
December 14, 2009
This simple Nebraska girl is really going to miss our long conversations and letter writing. Jerry was a one-of-a-kind guy who would do anything for his friends, and was so full of information and life. Even though we knew each other for two short years, baking cookies for him and having him help us plan an incredible vacation were priceless. Miss you dearly, Jerry!
Will Otto
December 13, 2009
I first met Jerry while eating in Mulberry Street as I was minding my own business sitting at table 13, right across from Jerry's table. He noticed my Nebraska shirt and told me if I was lost and that everyone at this restaurant was from USC. It was from then on that a special bond between him and I was born. What I will miss most about Jerry is not being able to sit with him and the other part of the trio (George) and just talk and laugh and hear there stories. He will always be remembered and never forgotten.
Rebecca Nickodem
December 12, 2009
Although I only knew Jerry a couple years, he was a Man among men. He is already deeply missed in our neighborhood. Living next door to him was a real treat. Especially when he came home from his ranch and shared his steaks!! My thoughts and prayers go out to Diana and her family.
Nanc Stevens (Kvancz)
December 11, 2009
In whatever way Jerry touched our lives----------young and old, friends and family, business acquaintances, school buddies, community folks, -----------------I believe that his personalized license plate says it all.......XOXOJFC.
We have all been richly blessed to be able to say------------We knew Jerry Christie, he was a very special guy and we treasure our memories of him. God bless.
December 11, 2009
I am saddened by Jerry's death. I first met Jerry in 3rd grade and attended Fullerton schools with him through high school. I always admired him and I think we were all proud of him when he became mayor of Fullerton. I thought of him as "Mr. Fullerton" because he always seemed to know everyone and what was going on in the city. I will miss him at our class reunions where he always made a point of saying hello and chatting a bit. A very nice man who will be missed.
Carol Sherwood Luce FUHS Class of '55
Sarah Clark
December 11, 2009
He was my Grandpa and I miss him already. He set the standard for what a good, decent man is and should be and I will never forget him.
Carol Luce
December 11, 2009
I am saddened by Jerry's death. I first met Jerry in 3rd grade and attended Fullerton schools with him through high school. I always admired him and I think we were all proud of him when he became mayor of Fullerton. I thought of him as "Mr. Fullerton" because he always seemed to know everyone and what was going on in the city. I will miss him at our class reunions where he always made a point of saying hello and chatting a bit. A very nice man who will be missed.
Carol Sherwood Luce FUHS Class of '55
December 11, 2009
have been a friend of jerry's since the 3rd grade, thru fuhs, fullerton jc and cal berkeley and all these many years . he was just a kind, considerate, gentle man. Darrell Roberts Bakersfied, Ca
Donnie Titus
December 11, 2009
Jerry hired me at FSL in 1977, and had a luncheon for me before I moved to Georgia in June of this year. He was a great man and will be missed by all.
Al Milo
December 10, 2009
While serving as the Library Director of the Fullerton Public Library, I had the privilege of knowing Jerry Christie, the President of the FPL Building Authority. He was extremely supportive of the library, and at Christmastime he would always drop by with a smile and a box of candy for the staff.
December 10, 2009
He was patient, understanding, polite and generous to a fault.
I will not forget him.
Paloma Mansfield
Tom Knoll
December 10, 2009
A fine man and a true friend. Loyal to those he considered his friend. He will be missed. Jerry will not be forgotten.
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