Christopher ‘Christieù Meccia

Christopher 'Christie' Meccia

Christopher Meccia Restaurateur at The Shore For 35 Years

Christopher 'Christie' Meccia age 85, died on June 10, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Born on May 12, 1936 in Newark, Chris graduated Glen Ridge High School where he participated in baseball, basketball, and football. He made the all-state football team and was co-captain - being voted The Most Popular in the class of 1954. From the yearbook: "He's the kind of guy who will either have a party of his own, or enliven someone else's." Chris then attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and while there, served his country in New Jersey National Guard and New York National Guard. After school, Chris and his brother Matt transformed a failed Newark bar into the thriving Christie's Tavern. In 1963, he opened Christie's Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge in Bradley Beach. The Stagecoach Restaurant in Wanamassa was purchased in 1970 and after extensive remodeling, the next Christie's was put on the map. Sadly, in 1973 (on Christie's birthday), it was destroyed by fire. Sometime after, the new Christie's Edgewater was opened at 1 English Lane. After remodeling, Christie's became alive and well (as Christie would say, "very well").

Christie's Restaurant became the place to go for dinner, cocktails, and parties. Diners included Governors Byrne, Kean, Florio, and McGreevey as well as Senators Bill Bradley, Joe Palaia, and Bob Singer. Other notable guests included Don Cornell, Danny DeVito, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, Shirley MacLaine, Bruce Springsteen, and Jerry Vale. Names from the world of sports included Jim Burt, Darryl Dawkins, Dave Jennings, Joe Morris, Lawrence Taylor, and Chuck Wepner. Even ABC Eyewitness News invited Christie to appear on TV, featuring his 'Veal La Crima Christi'.

Receptions soon became the norm at Christie's. It is estimated approximately 2,000 weddings were hosted by Christie, with him treating each bride as if she was his own daughter. In Chris' later years, it was not unusual for a couple to come up to him and say that they had their wedding at his restaurant.

Chris' passions were diverse: From instructing cooking classes at Brookdale Community College, to owning many classic cars (an Avanti, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Mercedes-Benz, and even a gleaming dark blue Rolls Royce), to carpentry and remodeling. The latter included the design and construction of the family home in Spring Lake as well as developing other properties in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, including that of Christie Lane in Wall Township. Even after selling the restaurant in 1998, Chris continued to work on the development of Dorset Road adjacent to Christie's Restaurant.

Being a big sports fan, it was best to make sure there was not a game on TV before you called Chris. Realizing the importance of sports to young children, Christie hosted sports banquets - free for the players in Ocean Township and neighboring towns. For his community efforts, April 1, 1998 was declared Christopher Meccia Day by the mayor of Ocean Township. Christie received a letter from President Bill Clinton extending his congratulations on receiving the Man of the Year award from the Order of Sons of Italy. Other merits include a Certificate of Recognition from the Board of Chosen Freeholders, a Silent Hero Award from Italian-American Association of Ocean Township, the Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Award of Achievement from the Ocean Township Police Department. He was a member of Hillside Elks, Bradley Beach Lions, Italian-American Club, N.J. Restaurant Association, Monmouth County Tavern Association, Monmouth County Association of the Blind, Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce, and - for over 40 years - a member of the Neptune/Ocean Kiwanis Club.

Chris was predeceased by his parents, Christopher and Rose Meccia (née Landolfi), brothers Carmine, Joseph, and Matthew; sisters Nancy Wojechowski and Phyllis Gorman and his daughter-in-law Barbara Ruby Meccia. He is survived by his sisters Victoria Ciccone of Belmar, Jane Cuddy (husband Harold) of Belmar, former wife Marie Meccia (née Corbo), his children: Christopher III (wife Angela) of Ashland Virginia, Clement of Spring Lake, Rosemargaret Maier (husband Ronald) of Ashland Virginia; his beloved grandchildren: Raelynn, Madeline, Ronald Jr., Renee, Martin, Clement; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitations on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 2 - 4 pm & 7 - 9 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 15th at St. Rose Church, 603 7th Avenue, Belmar, NJ. Interment will follow Mass at St. Anne's Cemetery, 1610 Allenwood Road, Wall, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Foundation, or Monmouth County Foundation for the Blind. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.