Christopher R. Wagner

1940 - 2019

Christopher R. Wagner, 79, of Bristol, formerly of Enfield, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at Bristol Hospital surrounded by family. Born in Albany, NY on March 26, 1940, he was the third son of the late Christopher and Philomena (Martone) Wagner. He grew up in Albany and graduated from the Vincentian Institute High School, Class of 1957. Chris then worked a series of jobs, including one at the National Commercial Bank and Trust Company where he met his future wife, Patricia Gibbons. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1960 and following basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, he began training as a linguist. He studied Mandarin Chinese at Yale University for a year, during which he and Patty married. From 1961 to 1968, Chris took part in communications intelligence missions in Vietnam, and he and his growing family lived on Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. In 1967, he launched Strategy & Tactics, a war-gaming fanzine that Decision Games still publishes. Following his honorable discharge, the family returned to Albany and he returned to civilian life. For over 25 years, Chris traveled the world as a Production and Product management consultant. While in Enfield, he was a member of the VFW Post #1501, the American Mensa Limited, and several National Professional Organizations. In his retirement, Chris enjoyed watching UCONN Women's basketball, any good NFL game and up until recently provided family and friends with weekly movie critiques on his Facebook page. Both his first wife, Patricia (Gibbons) Wagner in 1997, and his second wife, Pamela (Lewis) Wagner in 2015, predeceased him, as did a brother, William Wagner. He leaves his loving daughters, Robin Chiasson and her husband Roger of Bristol, and Karen Wagner McGuigan and her husband Dan McGuigan of Manchester; two brothers, Donald and Robert Wagner; a sister-in-law Evelyn Wagner, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was a proud grandfather to Tanner King and his wife Ksenia, Nicholas Chiasson and his wife Samantha, Ryan Chiasson, Mariah King, and Benjamin Chiasson. His family will receive friends on Saturday, October 19th from 11 AM – 12 PM at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield followed by a Memorial Service at 12 PM. Burial will be private. The family would like to thank the Level H ICU staff for the very compassionate care Christopher received at Bristol Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family requests friends consider donations in his memory to the American Lung Association. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.