Christopher J. "Chris" Handrahan

Christopher J. "Chris" Handrahan, AKA "Barney", age 53, of Burnsville, Minnesota passed away on Friday, December 20, 2024, following a long struggle with glioblastoma brain cancer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, December 30, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4625 W. 125th Street, Savage, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 29, at McNearney- Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 3rd Ave. East, Shakopee, from 2-5 PM; also one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Chris was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on March 7, 1971. He was raised in Saint Paul and graduated from the North Saint Paul High School Class of 1989. He still maintains those childhood friends today. He then attended Mankato State University. While in Mankato he worked at Music Land where he met wonderful friends that he continued friendships with throughout his life. He also met Jo Boehmer, a neighbor to him in the student apartments. They would be married on August 13, 1994. Chris graduated in December of 1994. He and Jo would spend a year in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and then moved back to the Twin Cities, eventually settling in Burnsville where they spent the past 27 plus years. They would be blessed with three wonderful children, Payton, Connor, and Sid.
Chris' career has been as a marketing specialist, primarily working with Best Buy and AT&T. He had a unique position brokering sponsorships for stadiums and arenas. He met so many cool businesspeople, athletes, and celebrities and loved sharing these amazing experiences with this family and friends. Many trips to the College World Series with family and friends created wonderful memories. Chris was an avid sports fan, making his occupation all the more fitting. He was a diehard Minnesota sports fan and Chicago Cubs fan. He even took Jo on their honeymoon to Wrigley Field, but Major League Baseball was on strike, so no game. He was a collector of memorabilia too. He has over 200 caps from various teams and events. Chris collected baseball and basketball cards and comic books too. He was a remarkable father, especially when it came to supporting his kids' interests. He never missed a game, performance or event for his kids. He coached every sport, right down to dancing dads. He was involved as a father could be. He was selfless even while in the hospital, he would be sharing the success of his children with the nurses.
Chris had this infectious and memorable smile. In fact, he was all about making memories. The family spent many days by their family pool, making those memories, as even his nieces and nephews can attest. The memories include all of friends and family he had over his lifetime. It was never Jo's side of the family, it was just FAMILY. The memories include friends from childhood, high school (Chris' and Jo's), college, parents of his kid's friends, and work friends that again were FAMILY.
As Chris' health has declined, he has shown exemplary strength, patience and continued to be an example of what a good human being is for his children. Now that he has departed this world, we are heartbroken, but we also have great honor for the love he shared with us and for the memories he created. We are just so proud of him, even with broken hearts, we look to the sky and know he has peace and that those shining stars are a reflection of his amazing smile.
Chris leaves behind his wife, Jo – Children, Payton, Connor, and Sid. Other relatives and many, many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Don and Helen Lowry.
Memorials are preferred to the family in lieu of flowers.