Christopher James Brock

To know Chris is to love Chris. His bigger-than-life smile and warm personality lit up a room and made it feel like home. He was called into God's loving arms on October 14, 2024.

Born in Milwaukee on November 2, 1954 to proud parents Bud and Ginny Brock, Chris spent his early years playing with his neighborhood friends and attending St. Pius X Grade School. As a Marquette High student, Chris met Mary Westley when they were both sixteen. They often wondered how they got so lucky, meeting so early in life. But when you know, you know – and they just knew. After graduating from Marquette University in 1977, the pair happily married on a hot day in July. They raised their four children in Brookfield, were active members of St. Dominic Parish and created many core memories with family and friends. Chris and Mary celebrated 47 years of marriage over the summer – and more than 54 years of being each other's person.

After retiring from a fulfilling career in commercial banking – where Chris always championed small business and local connections – he and Mary started a new chapter by moving to Cincinnati, Ohio. The family frequently joked that no one did retirement better than Chris. He traveled with Mary, golfed and biked with friends and family, cheered on the grandkids at their many sporting events and volunteered in the neighborhood and church. Quite simply, the man loved life – he loved his life. Chris loved the big moments but also the quiet ones, steadfast in his commitment to his family and faith.

We take comfort that there was a glorious celebration in Heaven upon Chris's arrival. He was preceded in death by his parents Virginia (Ginny) and Royal (Buddy) Brock and Godfather Joseph Schuster – who were undoubtedly waiting with open arms, ready to play a round of Ship Captain Crew – as well as many family and friends who have gone before him.

As for those of us left behind, we are tasked with continuing to cultivate Chris's legacy of love. Chris is the beloved husband of Mary (Westley) Brock; devoted father of Laurie (Chris) Einwald, Amy (Dan) Dietz, Jenna (Chris) Gormley and Sean (Jamie) Brock; adored Papa of Olivia, Hadley and Juliette Dietz, Molly and Colin Einwald, and Tegan, Larkin and Daxton Gormley. Cherished Godson of Kathleen Schuster, son-in-law of Barbara (David) Westley, cousin to the Schuster family, brother-in-law to the Westley family, uncle to many nieces and nephews, and friend to all.

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 27 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Becker Ritter Funeral Home (14075 W North Avenue; Brookfield, WI). The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 28 at 1 p.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church (18255 W Capitol Drive; Brookfield, WI), with additional visitation before Mass from 12 - 1 p.m. Private burial will be held at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery (3800 E College Avenue; Cudahy, WI) on Tuesday, October 29. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 8 at Noon at the Community of the Good Shepherd Parish (8815 E. Kemper Road; Cincinnati, OH), with visitation before mass from 10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the charities where Chris volunteered: Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee (designation: the farm) or Habitat for Humanity Waukesha. A special thank you to Hospice of Cincinnati, especially Lisa, Autumn and the Blue Ash facility nurses, as well as our family and friends for walking on this journey with us.