Christopher A. Bishop

1971 - 02

Christopher Aaron Bishop, 37, of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Rural Valley, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles. Chris won his first brave and valiant two-year battle with cancer at age 15, but ultimately succumbed to the malignant disease at age 37. He was born Feb. 26, 1971, in Rural Valley, the son of the late Gerald Jackson Bishop, and Mary Anne (Meinert) Bishop McIlwain and was the stepson of Thomas E. McIlwain, of Apollo. He was baptized in the Catholic faith. He is also survived by his loving companion, Marie Simonian, of Los Angeles; his brother, G. Jay Bishop MD (Kim), of Dunkirk, N.Y.; and sisters, Roberta (Dennis) Ochaba, of Butler, Leigh Bishop, of Fox Chapel, Becky Sue (Jim) Hixenbaugh, of Frazier Park, Calif.; and stepsister, Melissa (Randy) Palan, of Carrollton, Ill. He is also survived by nephews, Matthew Bishop, Jackson Bishop, Brian Haigh, Kelly O'Donoghue, Ryan Palan and Luke Palan; and nieces, Alyssa Bishop, Andrea (Zack) Martin, Cassidy Palan and Tiffany O'Donoghue. He is survived by aunts and uncles, Bob (Nancy) Meinert and Barbara (Jack) Boss; sister, Donna Zwigart OSF, Daryl Kezell and Denise Conway; as well as many cousins. Chris graduated from Shannock Valley High School in Rural Valley in 1989 and received a B.A. from Waynesburg College in Waynesburg in 1993. He subsequently attended the San Diego State University, receiving his masters in television, film and new media productions. After spending time with Channel 9 WTOV in Wheeling, W.Va., he moved to Los Angeles and formed Bishop Productions, a company specializing in freelance cinematography and photography support services. He worked in such venues as movies, television, documentaries, red carpet celebrity interviews and infomercials. Chris enjoyed his wonderful sense of humor, family and friends and being part of the L.A. community and Hollywood social life. He was a very passionate man who loved movies, playing his guitar and listening to music. He lived life to the fullest and was a very compassionate man. He always lent a listening ear to those in need. Chris was fiercely independent and hard working and always enjoyed sharing his successes with his family and friends. He never did anything without having a plan and he never spoke without thinking. He was the kind of person who everyone went to when they had a problem because they knew he would have the solution. Not only that, but he would go out of his way and help you through whatever you were dealing with just because he got happiness from seeing things work out great in the end. He was truly a man with no regrets, loved by all who knew him as a bright shining star in the big city. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at St. Mary's Church in Yatesboro with Father Daniel Blout officiating. Christopher will be buried beside his father in St. Marys Cemetery, Yatesboro. Arrangements by MANTINI FUNERAL HOME, Ford City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in his name to Waynesburg University Communications Program, c/o Advancement Office, Waynesburg University, 51 W. College St., Waynesburg PA 15370.