Chris Kamens

On Good Friday, April 2, Chris Kamens, 43, from Norfolk, left this world and started his new peaceful, pain free journey as "Christina" with his angels in heaven where there is no prejudice and only love and acceptance for who you are. Chris fought to the end a very aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but lost the battle with his mom by his side every step of the way. Chris was a graduate of the Gilbert School and the University of Connecticut. He had a passion for the UCONN women's and men's basketball teams, the old Hartford Whalers, going to the Hartford Wolfpack and Hartford Yard Goats games and movies with Rich Parsons and Dan Yanok, and WWE matches and Phillies games with Katie Ghione and Kristen Daniels. He was ecstatic to attend two final four basketball games with his best buddy, Russ LeJeune, and watch the UCONN women win the National Championship. His favorite pastimes were gaming and collecting many different kinds of memorabilia. Chris is survived by his beloved mother, Marie (Giansiracusa) Kamens and his very adored and loved cousin, Kyley Shaw, as well as his dog Lilly, from Sandisfield, MA; his maternal grandmother Catherine Giansiracusa, who he shared a very special bond with that included love, friendship, and acceptance; his maternal aunt Deb Libby and maternal uncle Joseph Giansiracusa; his paternal aunt Linda Kenney-Logan and paternal uncles Richard Kamens and Brian Kamens. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Anthony Giansiracusa and paternal grandparents Charles and Mary Kamens. He is also survived by his very cherished cousin and one of his caregivers over the last two years, Jessica Listorti, APRN, as well as several other cousins and many special loving and accepting friends. On behalf of Chris, Marie wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude and love to one of Chris's caregivers who became a great friend, Jeffrey Kelley, RN, Dr. Talsania and the entire staff at the Smilow Cancer Center, Dr. Kothari, Dr. Seropian, Dr. Prisoc, and the entire staff of the Smilow Cancer Hospital. Their compassion and warmth were amazing. They are truly the best of the best! Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cook Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service led by Reverend Erick Olsen at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 362 North St, Norfolk, CT, on Wednesday, April 7 at 11:00 AM. Due to safety concerns, in the summer, as our way of saying thank you for all the love and support our family received throughout Chris's illness, but more importantly, to celebrate Chris's life, we will gather together to honor my remarkable child. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to True Colors, Inc., 30 Arbor Street, Suite 201A, Hartford, CT 06106.