Christopher L. Hallee

AUGUSTA - Christopher L. Hallee, 36, left this life on Nov. 14, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Lisa Arbour and Greg Hallee on Feb. 27, 1982, in Waterville, Maine.Despite the heroic efforts of the Maine Medical Cardiac Intensive Care team, Chris succumbed to the devastating effects of an overdose of an unknown mixture of opiates. Chris's death was sudden and tragic; it was also avoidable. At the time of his death, Chris was seeking treatment for his addiction, but was unable to find a rehab bed in Maine. He died as his family was trying to find one for him in another state.Chris's drug addiction may have ended his life, but it did not define it. Chris was a kind and generous soul who loved people. He was happiest when he made others happy. He collected friends the way other people collect things. His smile lit up a room and his heart was as big as the world. He touched many lives on his journey through life.Chris spent most of his childhood in Augusta where he attended St. Mary's School and Cony High School. More recently he was a student at Kennebec Valley Community College. He worked as a cook and waiter in many restaurants in central and southern Maine. He created "Maine Music Movement," an online resource with which he shared the music he loved with others. He dreamed of becoming a concert producer and recorder to bring more live music to Maine.Chris was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Richard and Constance Hallee of Waterville; maternal grandfather, Donald Nelson of Fairfield; and aunt, Terri Starrett of Augusta.Chris leaves behind his father, Greg Hallee of Vassalboro; his mother, Lisa Arbour, stepfather, Denny Arbour; sisters, Chelsea and Julie Arbour all of Augusta; maternal grandmother, Beverly Rideout of Waterville; special aunt, Lisa Hallee, who was like a second mother to Chris, and her husband, Eric Sharpe of Oakland; other caring aunts and uncles: Bridget and John Campbell of Winslow; Tim and Lauren Hallee of Fairfield; Steve Hallee of Norridgewock; Rebecca and Peter Sherwood of Oakland; Judi and Jim Moore of Wyoming; Stephanie and Wes Swonger of Arizona; Richard and Lori Nelson of China; Dede and Paul Dickey of Fairfield; Scott Bryant of Augusta; and many cousins and countless friends. A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 24, at St Mary's Catholic Church, 41 Western Ave., Augusta. A celebration of Chris's life will be held from 12:30-3 p.m., at Le Club Calumet, 334 West River Road, Augusta. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, Chris's family requests that donations be sent to:Operation Hopec/o Waterville Police Department10 Colby StreetWaterville, ME 04901If Chris's life or untimely death has touched your heart, please help his family honor his memory by making drug treatment in Maine a top priority with the facilities and resources needed to address what has become an epidemic in our state. We hope that other families will not suffer as ours has and the world doesn't lose another beautiful soul to this dreadful disease.