Christopher P. Woolis

Christopher "Chris" Woolis, 47, of Elmwood Park, passed away suddenly, but peacefully, on September 16, 2025. The beloved husband and father of four is now reunited with his infant son Johnny, who passed away in 2012 at just nine months old.

Chris was the devoted husband of Christa (Gonnella) and loving father to Chloe, Anthony, Peter and Johnny. He was the cherished son of Arthur and Barbara Woolis, and brother to Bill Woolis.

Born in Bronxville, NY, Chris lived in the Bronx for the first year of his life before moving to Lyndhurst when he was a year old. Chris grew up in Lyndhurst, where he played Little League baseball and, later, football and baseball for the Lyndhurst High School Golden Bears.

Chris was always a dedicated and hard worker. Following high school graduation, and while studying journalism at Bloomfield College, Chris balanced a full course schedule while simultaneously working at Kirks Goodyear Tire and Auto to make his way through college. Chris would receive high honors and earned a spot in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree from Bloomfield College, Chris began his career as a freelance sports writer for the Nutley Sun in 2001. His first full-time position came as a staff writer at the Clifton Journal, where he served as a sports writer and editor, earning numerous awards for his outstanding writing and editing contributions. For the last eight years, Chris was a senior analyst at Verisk Analytics.

Chris and Christa met while in college through AOL chat, long before online dating was common. They often joked that they made "meeting online cool" back in 1998. They married on October 9, 2004, welcomed their daughter Chloe in 2008, and their triplet boys in 2011. In preparation for the arrival of the triplets, the family moved from their apartment in Bloomfield to their home in Elmwood Park, where they built a life full of love, laughter, and community.

Chris' greatest passion was his family and helping others.

"His family was his pride and joy," Christa said. "He would always sacrifice everything for us all and make sure we were all happy and well taken care of at all times. He had a heart of gold and didn't know how to say no when people needed anything. Whether it was an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, or help with a project. He always just showed up, no matter how he was feeling, with no questions asked and never expected anything in return."

Chris loved to cook, spend quality time with his family and was always up for an adventure. He was humble, kind, compassionate and found joy in life's simple pleasures.

He was a devoted fan of Seinfeld, Dolly Parton, Bob Ross, and Lidia Bastianich. He had a passion for writing, pro wrestling, and professional and college sports - especially the Yankees, Giants, Steelers and Penn State. As an Eagle Scout, a rank only six percent of all scouts attain, he was proud to continue the tradition as a Boy Scout leader for his sons' troop for many years.

Chris also enjoyed watching and coaching local youth sports. For more than eight years, Chris dedicated himself to coaching in the Elmwood Park Little League, serving as a board member, coach and mentor. He embodied the very best of youth sports, prioritizing character, teamwork and growth over wins and losses.

Chris loved the outdoors, whether it was lounging in the yard by the fire pit with a cigar and his buddies, or embarking on adventures with his family to his favorite places: Old Orchard Beach in Maine, Newport, RI, and the Great Smoky Mountains (Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) in Tennessee. He also enjoyed fishing, camping with his brother and sons, and catching games at numerous MLB stadiums with Anthony and Peter.

Above all, Chris' greatest accomplishment was being the most amazing and best-ever father to his three living children, Chloe, Anthony and Peter, his predeceased son, Johnny, and the most amazing and best-ever husband to his wife Christa.

All who knew Chris describe him as kind, dependable, and inspiring – a gem of a man – whose presence left a lasting impact on family, friends, and the community alike. He made friends and related to people from all walks of life and typically left others smiling or laughing in his wake, thanks to his quick wit, infectious sense of humor and outgoing personality.

Chris is survived by his wife, Christa; daughter, Chloe; sons, Peter and Anthony; parents, Arthur and Barbara Woolis; brother, Bill Woolis; brother-in-law, Philip Gonnella and wife Gina; niece Ava Woolis; and God Children, Dean Woolis, Julia Babbitt, and Elenore Moyer. He was predeceased by his infant son, Johnny.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Field, 500 Mola Blvd., Elmwood Park, NJ. Following the service, a baseball tribute game will be held in his honor. Please bring a chair if you plan to attend these events.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Children's Specialized hospital in honor of Chis' beloved son John, or the American Cancer Society to help cure and stop the spread of this horrible disease.