Christopher Charles Olivieri

Christopher Charles Olivieri, 58, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025, surrounded by the embrace of his loving family and friends. Beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend (and fishing and hunting buddy), Chris will be greatly missed by all who experienced his love, joy, and warm spirit.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving mother Maureen, brothers Richard (Jennifer), John (Katherine), and Michael (Chelsea), sister Rosemary (Pete), nieces Grace, Anna, and Cora, and nephews Ethan, Cameron, Archer, and Mason, all of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle Pat and Peter Racanello of Florida, aunts Camille Vitale of New York, JoAnn Vitale of Connecticut, Patricia O'Connor of Colorado, and cousins Jon Racanello of New York, Melissa Presta of New Jersey, and Mary Jane Raisley and James O'Connor of Colorado. The family is especially grateful to his former wife Liz who came to visit and comfort Chris during his last days. Chris was preceded in Heaven by our beloved father Richard, who surely greeted him there with a new set of clubs and wide open tee times.
Chris was born in the brand-new Virginia Beach General Hospital on March 19, 1967, to Richard and Maureen Olivieri. Christopher shared his middle name Charles with his grandfather from Sicily, Carmelo C. Vitale, with whom he bore a striking resemblance. He was a graduate of First Colonial High School. He grew up in Virginia Beach roaming the woods of Linlier and the waters of Linkhorn Bay, building tree forts and BMX tracks, water skiing and freeboarding, fishing, skateboarding, and every other type of boyhood misadventure with his brothers and the Overcash boys across the street. Later his exploits expanded out to the North End, Oceanfront, and of course Shadowlawn where many of Chris' friends lived and where he bought his first home.
Chris loved the outdoors. Whether it was surfing with his brothers and friends in VB or Hatteras, skiing at Snowshoe, saltwater fishing, or deer and duck hunting with his boys in Carolina, Chris was always happiest under the open skies. And his love of golf – a love he shared with father. He was the best golfer of all the Olivieri sons, playing competitively for school and in many tournaments at the Cavalier. Eventually relocating to Florida so he could play year-round in short sleeves, he loved to call and ask how cold it was in Virginia, heckling us with "80 degrees and sunny on the course here today!"
Chris was a great cook, inheriting the culinary gene from his mother. Whether he got you a coveted invite to one of those famous Olivieri family dinners or he cooked for you personally, you were now part of the family. He leaves behind many, many good friends. To say he was the life of the party is an extreme understatement. Friends and strangers alike experienced his fun-loving ways and infectious laughter. If you were a guest at one of the many parties he hosted (or attended) you definitely had a great time. And if you were one of his many partners in crime, you probably got left holding the bag with only the distant echo of his laugh remaining.
Chris made his living as a homebuilder in the family business. He was part of the fourth generation of Olivieri builders since our great grandfather began building homes after he emigrated to America in 1928. Whether providing a good meal or a new home, the bonds of family and friendship were Chris' main focus throughout his life. And of course, the love of a good time!
The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 1st from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at H. D. Oliver, Laskin Road Chapel. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Father Esteban DeLeon at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 2nd at Star of the Sea Catholic Church.
Memorial donations can be made to CHKD Child Advocacy Center, 935 Redgate Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507, or Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1404 Pacific Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.