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Christopher Holley Obituary
Chris grew up with a passion for baseball and the dream of becoming a professional baseball player. As a child, he was an accomplished athlete who played in both little league and pony league. In 1963, he was declared Hawthorne City yo-yo champion that led him to compete in the Los Angeles regional finals.
He attended Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, CA, graduated from Palos Verdes High School and was a proud alumnus of USC.
He had a long and successful career as a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch, Paine Webber, Shearson Lehman Brothers, and Drake Capital before starting his own consulting business.
Chris was a unique individual with a larger than life personality that lived life to the fullest and loved every minute of it. He lived life his way – always on the razors edge. He was charming, entertaining, charismic, the life of the party - the guy everyone wanted to know, yet sensitive and big-hearted. He had an insatiable appetite for knowledge and always loved a good prank.
As he would say "life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, cigarette in one hand, bombay and tonic in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "damn what a ride!"
Affectionately referred to by his close circle of friends as "The Mayor", "Earthquake McGoon", and "The Kingfish", please raise your glass to his memory and thank you for cheering him on with your love and support in his final days.
Chris left his mark on this world with his energy, spirit, insight, and passion for life and will be greatly missed.
As his mother would say "Good night sweet prince".
Please sign the guestbook at dailybreeze.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Holley
Sponsored by Daily Breeze.
Blyveis Julia
September 30, 2024
Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. You are deeply missed.
Julia Blyveis
February 18, 2024
Not a day goes by without you still so present in my heart and mind.
To quote Colin Hay, " if I live to be 102, I just don't think I'll ever get over you."
Julie
May 8, 2023
Every single day Chris. Every day. Still. Always.
Steve Mandaro
May 6, 2023
May the 4th be with you.
Your buddy, Steve Mandaro
Mario G
August 10, 2022
Miss you Chris. Red O still going strong.
Steve Mandaro
May 4, 2022
May 4, 2022
A toast in honor of your birthday.
From your lifelong childhood friends.
Linda
May 4, 2022
Happy birthday, Chris. It´s been three years and not a day goes by that I don´t think of you.
Love you and cheers.
Mario G
August 10, 2021
Miss you Chris-
Your buddy from the Red O
Mario G
August 10, 2020
We miss you Chris-❤
Your friend Mario from the Red O
Steve Mandaro
November 2, 2019
Chris Holley, my lifelong friend and buddy. You were like a brother to me. We grew up together and lived on the same block. We went to school together from the 1st grade and then kept in touch our whole lives. We were together a lot in the early years, neighborhood games, little league, and school. Later years, I lived in Nevada and Northern California, we were a phone call away. We might have not have seen each other for a couple of years at a time but we were always on the phone. 3 months might lapse for a phone call, but sometimes we would talk 2 or 3 days in a row. Later, the internet became an additional method for exchanges of jokes, cartoons, political satire and interesting articles. We had so many inside jokes, over events or common experiences we had, we would repeat numerous times over our lives. If something happened that I'd think of Chris, I'd be on the phone striking up a conversation. Usually it was good for a laugh or busting my gut laughing. A needed break from daily struggles. Chris liked having a physician a phone call away to ask questions, and I liked having a finance guy to call about economic, finance , and investment issues.
Never sick a day a day in his life, Chris, you did get sick with a condition, no fault of your own, that took your life in 4 months. With your sister Linda at your side, a true angel coming to your aid, and Julie your lifelong love, you endured pain and suffering head on fighting with treatments hoping for a good result. And I suffered the pain of knowing my lifelong friend, was suffering through those last 4 months. I went down to see him Aug 6, for what would be the last time.
You parted this earth August 10,2019 but you will never be forgotten. We had all those memories together, and they can't be erased. Good bye my lifelong friend and buddy.
Steve Mandaro
Steve Mandaro
November 2, 2019
Chris Holley, my lifelong friend and buddy. You were like a brother to me. We grew up together and lived on the same block. We went to school together from the 1st grade and then kept in touch our whole lives. You were part of our small group who did the same. We were together a lot in the early years, neighborhood games, little league, and school. Later years, I lived in Nevada and Northern California, we were a phone call away. We might have not have seen each other for a couple of years at a time but we were always on the phone. 3 months might lapse for a phone call, but sometimes we would talk 2 or 3 days in a row. Later, the internet became an additional method for exchanges of jokes, cartoons, political satire and interesting articles. We had so many inside jokes, over events or common experiences we had, we would repeat numerous times over our lives. If something happened that I'd think of Chris, I'd be on the phone striking up a conversation. Usually it was good for a laugh or busting my gut laughing. A needed break from daily struggles. Chris liked having a physician a phone call away to ask questions, and I liked having a finance guy to call about economic, finance , and investment issues.
Never sick a day a day in your life, Chris, you did get sick with a condition, no fault of your own, that took your life in 4 months. With your sister Linda at your side, a true angel coming to your aid, and Julie your lifelong love, you endured pain and suffering head on fighting with treatments hoping for a good result. And I suffered the pain of knowing my lifelong friend, was suffering through those last 4 months. I went down to see him Aug 6, for what would be the last time.
You parted this earth August 10,2019 but you will never be forgotten. We had all those memories together, and they can't be erased. Good bye my lifelong friend and buddy.
Steve Mandaro
Charles Caulfield
October 18, 2019
Chris and I met when we were seniors in high school. We both had just transferred to Palos Verdes High School and immediately became best friends. We enjoyed playing baseball, working on cars and just having fun! We spent a lot of time in his garage working on his "cherry" Pontiac. It was during that time that I got to know his wonderful family.
While we didn't remain close, we ran into each other a couple of times a year and always had a laugh or two. It was with great shock when his sister, Linda, contacted me to let me know that he was ill.
I feel grateful that I was able to spend time with him during his final months. He remained cheerful and positive, always a good joke ready for me!
I love you, Chris and will never forget you.
Muttonhead
October 16, 2019
What a gift you were to me.
The LOMF.
35 years of a wonderful relationship.
I miss you every day.
I'm so grateful you let me spend the last few months with you.
See you in the next life
All the love.
Sapphire ❤
Michael Klint
October 11, 2019
It's sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew. But i'm glad I did. keep up with life in the fast lane.
Mchael Klint
October 11, 2019
It's sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew. you certainly lived life in the FAST lane and probably still are.
Greg Wasil
October 10, 2019
Got to know ol' ' Bunna'' in the first grade, always a stylish fella, just check out the cuff links he's wearing in our 1st communion picture...always the newest bike, car, girlfriend & joke...he had a soft spot for cats squirrels & old timers especially WW 2 vets..he was always respectful to my folks, Mr.& Mrs. even as an adult...probably laughed more every day than anyone around...RIP old buddy better to flame out than to rust..
Pat Kennedy
October 8, 2019
: =. Grade school buddy,holly park little league,we played alot of ball,left the area for many years but was kept up from fellow friends of Chris,Steve mandaro,mike Amira ,Rodger Rainey.....rest in peace Yo yo man, and. Nice slide into home!.....Pat Kennedy
Kevin McNally
October 7, 2019
Chris and I grew up together and went to the same grammar school and one year of high school before he moved to PV and I to Torrance. As adults he came to me for dental care for a short time and then I lost track of him. Linda's obituary is right on and I couldn't begin to tell of the many, many fun and mischievous times we had growing up. Rest in Peace my friend!
October 7, 2019
I grew up two houses from Chris and his family in Holly Park. Chris and I played on the same Little League baseball team. (The Yankees)
On our same street, just down a few houses another teammate Steve Mandero also played on the Yankees.
I will remember Chris as a good friend and neighbor. I always enjoyed my time with Chris, we always had good stories and memories.
Mike Amira
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