Christopher B. Golson

1952 - 2017

Christopher B. Golson

June 18, 1952 - September 5, 2017

Christopher Bernard Golson, 65, passed away at home on September 5, 2017 in Redwood City, California.
Chris was born a brilliant redhead, in Mexico City, in 1952. His father was engaged in the mining industry, and the family lived abroad for Chris's childhood. After Mexico, the family made its home in St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Paris, France, and The Hague, Netherlands, where Chris finished high school in 1974. Fluent in 3 languages, Chris studied history at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, where he received his B.S. with Honors in 1974. 
His professional career began with Sony Corporation of America, where he remained until 2001, leaving as a Vice President in Marketing. Before his recent retirement was in executive marketing positions in Silicon Valley for SGI Corporation, Quantum Corporation, Front Porch Digital, and THX, Ltd. He traveled the world, achieving major goals for his companies and mentoring countless colleagues through his career. He was nicknamed by colleagues as "The Goalinator".
He married his love Catherine Cunningham (Kit) Tomasi in 1993, and they made their home in Redwood City, California. Frequent trips to Provence, France, hiking, swimming, entertaining, family history, digital technology and the arts happily absorbed them for 29 years together.
Chris was a passionate award-winning and exhibited digital photographer and amateur videographer (www.chrisgolson.com); an intrepid traveler; a sailor, an airplane pilot, a skier, a marathon runner. He and Kit shared political and socially conscious ideals.
Chris is preceded in death by his parents George Golson and Beverly (Barry) Golson; he is survived by his wife Kit, his stepdaughter Lisa Tomasi McCormick, son-in-law, Steven McCormick, siblings G. Barry (Thia) Golson, Michele Golson Chase, J. Geoffrey (Laurie) Golson, and Marie Cecile Golson. He leaves his nephews Brian and Christopher Chase; Blair, Tyler, Joseph, Mark and Kevin Golson; Zac, Ben and Zoe Cunningham, and several grand-nephews and -nieces; a lifetime friend, Dirk Karsten; and his beloved pup, Nicky.
He will be deeply missed and cherished by many friends and family for his love, humor, sparkling wit, mischievous quirks, generosity, and kindness.
Burial will be Monday, September 25, 2017, with a small private family service.  
In lieu of flowers, his wife requests donations in his memory to The Southern Poverty Law Center, and to Planned Parenthood, two of his favorite charities.