Christopher A. Rem

Rem, Major Christopher A. CLIFTON PARK On October 8, 2012 Major Christopher Rem's inspirational physical life on earth ended. MAJ Rem will join his beloved son Timothy who prede-ceased his father on June 14, 2010 in heaven. Christopher led an inspirational life and was a loving and generous provider of his family. Chris and Timmy created memorable moments together with each other and the entire family. There were so many "whirlwind trips" as Tim described them to Europe, Canada, and Mexico and throughout the United States. Tim traveled with his father, step mother and step brother's Josh and Joe to Ireland; Venice, Italy; Paris, France; Holland; they snowboarded in the Alps in Germany; they crossed the border to Mexico and shopped in Nuevo Laredo, they traveled under the great Niagara Falls in Canada. In the United States, they traveled to Disney in both Florida and California; they took the mule ride down the Grand Canyon in Arizona; visited the Alamo in San Antonio Texas; saw Bourbon Street in New Orleans; and there were also countless trips to New York City to see plays like "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera". In addition there were countless camping, tubing and fishing trips to Herkimer, N.Y. where they mined for Herkimer diamonds with his stepbrothers and beloved grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and dear friends. Christopher coached Tim in Little League and Soccer and shared his devotion to the Catholic faith at St Augustine's Church in Troy, where Tim attended religious instructions from age 6 to 16 and was an altar server with his stepbrothers for many years. MAJ Rem is survived by his wife, his soul mate, true love and best friend of 27 years, COL Christine T. Rem (R) and many children and grandchildren. He is greatly mourned by his step sons Joshua Bills and Joseph (Jillian) Bills and grandson Collin and granddaughter Madylin. He is also survived by stepson Thomas (Laura) Bills and grandsons Thomas, Brian and granddaughter Claire. He is also deeply mourned by his two sons: Christopher Rem Jr. (Rachel) along with adored granddaughters Carli and Allison and son Kevin (Angela) Rem, Glenville, N.Y. He is also survived by his loyal and devoted dog-children, Chloe, Chico and Charlie. MAJ Rem is deeply mourned by his devoted parents, siblings, nieces and nephews; father, Alexander and mother, Margaret (Thibaudeau) Rem from Clifton Park and brother, Timothy Rem (Donna) and nephew, Steven and nieces, Rebecca and Jennifer Rem from Troy; brother, Daniel Rem (Tina) from Missouri City, Texas and nephews, Matthew from New York City and Michael and Reagan Rem from Texas; and sister, Nancy (Sokol) O'Neil (Rich) from Gansevort and nephews, Alexander, Joseph, Max and Benjamin Sokol. Christopher is also survived by his loving mother-in-law, Teresa (Guskie) Gilhooley of Lansingburgh and sister-in-law and niece, Cathleen (Gilhooley) Hamel (Joe Cavallo) and Jessica Hamel from Lansingburgh. MAJ Rem was a loving nephew to John Thibaudeau, Albany, Carl Andriano, Latham and Mary Ann Friedman, Fla. and loving cousin to Bernadette Mardon (Arthur) and Jean Carpentier (Richard), of Averill Park. He was deeply loved and respected by extended family. Some of these extended family include Aunt Madeleine (Gilhooley) and Uncle Fred Winfree (cousins. Laura, Kim and Lynn) from Virginia Beach; a very proud uncle MSGT (R) Joseph and Aunt Anne Marie Guskie (cousins Margaret, William, Ken and Patti) from Charlotte, N.C.; Uncle John Guskie (cousins, John, Judy, Paul and Sue) from Watervliet; Uncle Jack Van Amburgh from Snyder's Lake and cousins, Mark, Melissa And Elise; cousin Jack and Jackie Krause from Howe's Cave and cousin, Marty and Sue Gibbons (Kelly, Patty and Marty) from Averill Park. In addition MAJ Rem was like a loyal brother and an unbelievable generous and benevolent father and grandfather figure to countless others. Memories of weddings, births, deaths, graduations festive holiday parties, camping trips and travels will remain in their hearts and souls. Some of the special people in his life include: Erin (Sullivan) Teta (Rel) and his beloved "fairy godchildren;" Jared, Alexandra, Hayden, Logan, Kennedy and Sophie Teta of Lansingburgh. Patrick and Patrick Jr. Sullivan of Troy; Michael Sullivan (Melissa) and children Michael and Marilyn. Sean Sullivan (Sarah) and children Emily and Seth from Mass.; Colleen (Sullivan) Chalmers (Jeff) and children Daniel and Brady from Mass.; Carla (Toohey) and Rob Rogers of Cohoes; and Edward and Judy Schillaci (Edward) and Mabel Schillaci from Rennselaer . Other extremely supportive special friends include: LTC (R) Barbara (Bill) Caldara from Catskill, CPL (R) Chuck Littman (Donna) from Fla., LTC Gerald Holleger (Mary Beth) from Calif., MAJ (R) Bernadine Colloton from North Greenbush; LTC (R) Joyce Novak from Watervliet, COL (R) Judith Gisondi from Gloversville, LTC (R), Kenneth (Barb) Moore from Schenectady. SMSgt (R) Dixon Williams (Barbara) and Jennifer and Melissa. MAJ Rem had a deep love for his family, the nursing profession, his country and the United States military. He had a long and distinguished career with over 42 years of service. He was born on May 28, 1950 in Albany and joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1969 starting with the rank of Private. He progressed rapidly to the rank of E-7 with assignments in the laboratory section of the 364th General Hospital, Albany. In his early civilian career he worked for the Department of Health in Environmental Health Laboratories in Albany. He graduated from Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in 1990 and worked as a Psychiatric Nurse at the Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany along with many diverse part-time positions such as with Hospice at St Peter's Hospital, Albany, at the Commission on Economic Opportunity WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program as the "WIC nurse" and as a substitute school nurse for the Lansingburgh School District. He is also a graduate of New York State University at Utica/Rome where he received a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (1995). He received his commission as a second lieutenant Army Nurse Corps Officer in 1992 and progressed to the rank of Major. MAJ Rem loved being an Army nurse and some of his most remarkable experiences included humanitarian missions to Guatemala, Central America and working with the Navajo Nation in Winslow, Ariz. in the USA. In 2004, MAJ Rem completed a six month assignment at Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington DC as the credentialing officer for NARMC (North Atlantic Regional Medical Center). From 2004-2006 as a civilian contractor, he worked as clinical nurse consultant for RTS Med at Fort McCoy, Wis. From 2006 to 2010, MAJ Rem served proudly on active duty at Army Reserve Medical Command (ARMEDCOM) in Pinellas Park, Fla. in the Operations (G-1) section as the 90 day Boots on Ground (BOG) officer. In this position, he coordinated all of the activations and deployments of the entire Army Reserve personnel pool of physicians and nurse anesthetists. At a ceremony on June 12, 2010 ARMEDCOM Commander and "long time friend" Brigadier General Robert Kasulke presented MAJ Rem with the Legion of Merit award for exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements during his tour at ARMEDCOM. Other awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. MAJ Rem, a devoted, caring and compassionate professional nurse is also survived by special nursing colleagues from District 9 Nurses Association and the Foundation of New York State Nurses. Colleagues from District 9 include COL (R) Barbara Wood (John) from Troy, MAJ (R) Helen Vartigian from Cohoes and Sharon Robinson RN from Amsterdam. Very special friend and supportive colleague Cathyrne Welch PhD from the Foundation of NY State Nurses in Guilderland referred to Christopher as her own "Rem Gem". MAJ Rem loved his motorcycle and was a proud member of the Rolling Thunder, Inc. Florida District 11 group. He was a wonderful cook, a humanitarian, an animal and wildlife advocate, an enthusiastic naturalist and an avid photographer. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Augustine's Church, Lansingburgh, N.Y. The Reverend James T. Spenard, O.S.A., pastor will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and may also visit with MAJ Rem's family on Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham, N.Y. For directions, lighting of a candle and condolence book, please visit www.bowenandparkerbros.com