Christopher Calvin Strawbridge

Christopher Calvin Strawbridge of Benicia passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 from complications of a severe lung infection. He was 47 years old. Christopher was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 25, 1975. He moved with his family to Benicia in 1985 and attended St. Dominic's Grade School from 1985-1989. His 6'5 height in the 8th grade made him an easy pick for most valuable player of his winning basketball team. He graduated from St. Patrick St. Vincent High School in 1993. He was the Freshman Class President and Captain of the Freshman Basketball Team. Christopher made the Varsity Basketball Team as a sophomore. During his Junior Year, both of his lungs collapsed (spontaneous Pneumothorax) which ended his basketball career. His interests were around acting and performing which took him to San Diego State and ACT in San Francisco. He performed locally in the Benicia Old Town Theatre Group's production of Little Shop of Horror as the voice of the plant Audrey II. It was his dream to eventually play Audrey II on Broadway.
As it usually happens actors end up waiting tables. In Christopher's case he made a profession of it starting at the famous Mabel's restaurant in Benicia as a server. He learned a lot from the owners Pat and Richard about running a restaurant. He relocated to Chicago, Illinois where he started his successful career with Kimpton Hotels as a Sales and Catering Manger and moved back to San Francisco eventually becoming the General Manager of several of the companies high profile properties. Christopher took his expertise back to Chicago and then in 2017 he relocated to New York City and the big stage of restaurants. His title was Director of Food and Beverage for the Warwick New York Hotel, Royalton Park Ave and Levy Restaurants at the Javits Center.
Christopher is survived by his parents Scott and Christina Strawbridge. his brother Andrew Strawbridge (Edgar Ventura Strawbridge) and his long time companion Louie the rescued Chihuahua.
Christopher was a fighter, he experienced several serious health issues including lymphoma which he beat and the most recent lung infection that hospitalized him for 2 months.
He will be cremated next week and his ashes will be dispersed into the Carquinez Strait. An old fashioned wake will be held on his birthday of August 25 in a private family gathering. The family has asked that any contribution in Christopher's name be directed to
The Tim and Jeannie Hamann Foundation Hamann foundation.org and The Benicia Old Town Theatre Group Benicia theatre group.org