Eugene Paul Christie

Eugene Paul Christie, 98, was taken peacefully by the Lord, Wednesday, January 26, 2022.  He was born on April 25, 1923, to his deceased parents, James, and Stella Christie. Beloved husband to his late high school sweetheart of 73 years, Georgia Christie; Beloved Dad to his late daughter, Phyllis; Randall (Janet), Marny (Lindsay) Eastman, Janice (Joseph) Pagone, Judith Fritz, Thomas (Donna), Robert (Diane), Nancy (John) Gobbo, William (Lisa). Loving Grandfather to 23 Grandchildren & to 12 Great Grandchildren.

At the age of 7, Eugene and his younger brother, Jim were placed in Lawrence Hall, an orphanage in Chicago run by the Episcopal Church. He grew up with 125-150 boys with whom he bonded with and considered them his “Brothers”, giving them all a sense of “Family”. At the age of 13, he had to work at the orphanage for the upkeep of his brother and himself, waking at 4:30 each morning to prepare and clean up breakfast for 150 people.  This continued every day until he left the orphanage, and throughout his life, he considered breakfast the most important meal of the day, usually starting with his famous French toast and large pot of oatmeal. While attending Lawrence Hall, he also developed a special relationship with Fr. John W. Norris who was kind enough to keep him at the orphanage after he graduated from Amundsen High School, as the Athletic Director for the younger kids so that he could attend North Park College.

While attending Amundsen High School he met and fell in love with Georgia Burlingame on a school trip to the Chicago Museum and their love story began. And as he wrote in his story, “I fell in Love with your Great, Great Grandmother the moment I saw her and from that point on I will love her to eternity!” 

When Eugene joined the United States Marine Corps and left the orphanage, Fr. Norris gave him a small zippered “Book of Common Prayers”, which he carried through the war at all times. It took him many years to talk about the war, but in the year 2000 it was time for him to share what he experienced by writing a book to all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren etc.  “You are all very lucky to be alive, because I was very lucky. I lived through WWII and was only wounded. My outfit was the 28th Marines in the 5th Marine Division who raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi in the battle of Iwo Jima. I was proud to be a Corporal within this Division. There were almost 7,000 Marines who died and over 20,000 wounded and it was considered the bloodiest battle in the history of the United States Marine Corps.”  He wants to make sure WWII is remembered in History books for years to come.  He was very proud to have served his country as a Marine and wore the Marine crest wherever he went.

Eugene and Georgia were married on August 31, 1946, right after Eugene returned from the war. Their dream was to have a big family and their wish came true with the births of nine beautiful children – five girls and four boys. In 1960, they moved their family to Park Ridge and in 1981 Georgia established St. Mary’s Merry Go Round Daycare/Preschool alongside their daughters Phyllis, Jan, Judy, Nancy, and daughter-in-law Diane. The school moved to Park Ridge Presbyterian Church and in honor of their family name, the school became “Christie’s Carousel of Learning”. With family being so important to Eugene and Georgia Christie, the family business didn’t stop there as Eugene’s four sons Randy, Tom, Bob, and Bill joined him at Better Containers Manufacturing Co. Inc, that is still successful today. During Eugene’s time at Better Containers, and up until his passing, he was always using his creative mind inventing several different patents. One being the “Handle-Tie-Bag known today as the “Glad Handle-Tie.” If he wasn’t on the Park Ridge Country Club or River Wilderness Golf course enjoying the game of golf, he would be spending hours in his garage with the next patent he was going to develop.

 At 90 years old, Eugene and Georgia retired to Florida. Their daughter Marny, who relocated down there with her family, cared for her parents for many years.  Their son Randy joined Marny to help care for them until the end.

Everywhere Eugene went people knew his name, because he always made sure to learn their name and everything about them. He was a tough Marine who instilled many important values to his family, always pushing them to do their best.  The love he shared for his wife and family is something his family will cherish forever.    As he said in one of the many letters he wrote to his children, “I still have the small zippered prayer book from Father Norris, and over the years I have vacillated on the value of prayer, does it work, I know it works, and it’s very simple, Just Gotta Believe!”

His final words in the story he wrote, “We sincerely hope you have had a most gratifying, fulfilling, joyful and rewarding lifestyle, and if you don’t think so, do your old, old, old gramps a favor, get off your butt and make it so!”

Thankful, grateful and full of smackers he was, and as he spoke his final words to his oldest son, Randy by his side, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

A Celebration of Life will take place with his family in the beautiful Northwoods, where he joins his lovely wife Georgia, and oldest daughter, Phyllis. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 is in charge of local arrangements. Condolences may be made to: www.brownandsonsfuneral.com