Captain Christopher R. Vatidis USN,(Ret.)

1931 - 2020

CAPTAIN Christopher R. Vatidis, USN, (Ret.), our beloved father, a 26 year veteran of the United States Navy, has taken his final flight, departing this life on 12/14/20 after his battle against the coronavirus. Chris was born on 6/16/31 in NY, NY where he was raised working in his father's restaurants, attended Cardinal Hayes High School, and met the love of his life and wife of 61 years until her death in 2016, Dolores Morello (Dee). After his graduation on a basketball scholarship from Niagara University in 1954 he was commissioned in the US Navy and began his career as a naval aviator.

Chris and Dee loved the travels, adventures, and lifelong friends that his naval career provided them. Together they had four daughters, Pat, Debbie, Donna and Chris, which he claimed was exactly what he wanted. He was a man of deep faith whose priorities were God, family and country. Chris's naval career included a wide variety of sea (USS Hancock, Bonne Homme Richard, FDR, Wasp, Tarawa, Randolph, Shangrila, JFK) and shore assignments, but his true love and passion was naval aviation. A decorated aviator, Chris's naval career was highlighted by over 4900 flight hours and 454 carrier landings while serving in squadrons deployed to the Mediterranean , Atlantic Ocean and the Vietnam coast. He courageously flew A-1 Skyraiders during two tours and 204 combat missions in the Vietnam war, during which time he was shot down and rescued. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for providing "gunfire suppression and airborne leadership which directly resulted in the rescue of a pilot downed….in one of the most heavily defended areas of North Vietnam". Following his combat tours he served as the Operations Officer of VA 43 at NAS Oceana, flying the A-4 Skyhawk, and later returned as Executive Officer, where he was instrumental in the conception, construction and dedication of the Oceana Flame of Hope POW/MIA Memorial, and then as Commanding Officer of VA/VF 43, transitioning the squadron to the VF designation in 1973.

Chris, Dee and their family especially enjoyed a 4 year tour in Naples, Italy, where he served as Chief of Staff for Plans, Ops and Facilities Mgt. on COMFAIRMED staff, and he completed his Navy career at CINCLANTFLT in Norfolk, VA as Director, Ordnance Logistics Manager, retiring in September 1980 as a Navy Captain. For his service to his country and the US Navy, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards) with combat "V", the National Defense Service Medal (3 awards), Air Medal (13 awards), the Republic of Viet Nam Service Medal (3 awards), and multiple unit and campaign medals.

Following a position in New Jersey as an airline director of training, and with all the daughters launched, he and Dee moved back "home" to Virginia Beach, VA, where Chris enjoyed another career, as a realtor, before retiring again.

A devout Catholic, Chris served for many years as the head of the Parish Council at his beloved First Landing Chapel at Fort Story. He was active in, and a Regional Wing Commander for, the Hampton Roads Squadron, Association of Naval Aviation, and deeply involved in the building of the Virginia Beach Naval Aviation Monument. He was a life member of the Military Officers' Association of America. A lifelong golfer, he experienced the thrill of a hole in one.

Chris was a family man who counted his wealth in the love and care that surrounded him and was never happier than with his beloved Dee and his girls, and upon their marriages loved his children's spouses as he did his own children. He was an enormously proud grandfather to 8 grandchildren, adored his 4 great-grandchildren and was happy in his final days to learn of another on the way near his 90th birthday. He leaves behind his children, Pat and Craig Johnson, Debbie and Darrell Bryan, Donna and Gerry Reuss and Chris Vatidis and Mary Barnes, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tyler and Brittany Bryan, Meredith and Sam Dibert (Sammy and Annie), Natalie and Shaun Foret (Finley and Austin), Cameron Johnson, Caitlyn Reuss, Cody and Tiffany Reuss, and Maddie and Max Vatidis. He missed Dee terribly following her passing and took great comfort in time with all of us. We are all so proud of his life of integrity, patriotism and service.

Chris will also be missed greatly by his loving family members in the Morello, Temple and Depietri families. He will also be remembered by Catherine Colgan, with whom he enjoyed happiness and companionship in his final years.

Services during this Covid time will be private. At a later time, our beloved Captain will be buried with Dee at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be offered at www.vacremationsociety.com.