Friday, December 18, 2020
Dear Rankine Family,
I was a friend of Chris and moved away years ago and gradually we lost touch but I never forgot him. I was planning to look him up during an upcoming trip to NYC and learned of his untimely passing. I'm very saddened by this news. Chris was a very kind person and he LOVED his family. He talked about you all the time. He loved being called Uncle Ciss and would tell me funny things his nieces would say like "you're not the boss of me" or once he heard them say in the background during a phone call "tell him to come HOME." He was a big kid at heart and told me stories about going to work with his Mom when he was a kid, getting to stay in the hotel and bugging the staff. He said when he was a kid he would get so excited to go to Coney Island he would not sleep the night before. He and I went to the amusement park at Coney Island a few months before it closed and he was really happy. He said he hadn't been back there in years. Chris loved music too and was always up for a concert or Jingle Ball. I'll never forget how creative, entrepreneurial and driven he was but still relaxed and fun to be around. He was my source for any techie/gadget question or problem and he taught me how to navigate the NY subways. I'll never ride the J or F trains again without thinking of him. Chris always took good care of himself too and would drag me to the gym to lift weights.
I can't imagine how you feel and I am truly sorry for your loss. You have my sincerest condolences and prayers always. Chris was a very special person and I hope the memories you have and the memories I shared help ease the hurt. I will never forget Chris.
