Christopher Paul Mocca

Chris Mocca died on August 18, 2025 after a brave battle with brain cancer. He was 46 years old.

Chris leaves behind his devoted wife, Kate Essex, and his children Liliana (16) and Vincent (14). He is also survived by his mother Shirlee Mocca, stepmother Ellen Klein, and brother Andrew Mocca. He is predeceased by his father Louis Mocca and brother Brian Mocca.

Chris earned a B.S. from the University of Maryland College Park and a Master's in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and was passionate about science and public service. He dedicated his career to public health, and was a member of the United States Public Health Service for nearly 17 years. For most of his PHS service, he worked at the Food and Drug Administration conducting vaccine research. He also deployed numerous times to respond to emergencies both foreign and domestic. He was most proud of his lengthy deployment in Liberia, where he was part of the first U.S. response team helping fight the country's Ebola outbreak.

If Chris was not a vaccine researcher, he would no doubt have been an Astronaut, as his fascination with and love of NASA knew no bounds. He loved driving to Wallops for shuttle launches, pointing out astronomical events to the kids, and watching movies and documentaries about space and the space program. He and Kate even took special tours of Johnson Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Kennedy Space Center (that last one was a full-family event).

When he wasn't watching NASA TV or the Science Channel, Chris loved being outdoors (skiing, hiking, grilling, even shooting off miniature rockets from time to time). Born and raised in Montgomery County, Chris was a Maryland guy through and through. He loved both the beach and the Bay and spent many vacations in Ocean City and Solomon's Island. He also loved the mountains and introduced Kate to Deep Creek early in their relationship. He maintained lifelong friendships with his childhood best friends Josh, Jamil, and Justin, and he cherished opportunities to visit them and their growing families.

Despite spending two and a half years undergoing grueling cancer treatments, Chris maintained a desire for travel and creating meaningful family experiences. The family managed to squeeze in lots of adventures including multiple beach and lake trips, a Caribbean cruise, and a VIP experience in Disney World. Chris and Kate also hung out with flamingos in Aruba, spent their final Thanksgiving together on Ocracoke Island, and traveled twice to Italy. Many great memories were made in the midst of a very difficult time.

Chris was loyal, thoughtful, playful and affectionate. He gave the best hugs, made the best burgers, and loved his family and his friends with his whole heart. For those who loved him, his death leaves behind a vast hole that will never be filled. But for Chris, his loved ones hope that he is now at peace. They envision him relaxing somewhere in a comfy beach chair, hat and sunglasses on, enjoying a cold beverage with his dad Lou, brother Brian and Kate's dad Paul, while his beloved German Shepherds Sampson and Ginger romp in the sand. He's healthy and energetic once more, and it's just hot enough that he might take a swim soon. The water is calm and clear, just as he likes it.

Glioblastoma is a cruel and incurable cancer. In the past twenty years, there have only been a few advancements in treatment, and the five-year survival rate is a mere 5%. At a time when funding for scientific research is being dramatically cut, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the American Brain Tumor Association in Chris's honor. Visit their website to donate and learn more about the work they are doing to support patients and caregivers and to fund vital research that one day, hopefully, will bring about a cure for this terrible disease.