1958
Christopher
2014
Christopher Abell
September 16, 1958 — September 24, 2014
Christopher George Abell of Washington, D.C., native of Brentwood, MD, died on September 24, 2014 at GWU Hospital as the result of a traumatic brain injury after a fall. He was 56 years old.
Chris was the second of six children of Bernadette Joy Abell and the late John Richley Abell, Sr. He is survived by his longtime partner of fifteen years, George L. Strausbough, Jr. In addition, he is survived by his brothers John R. (Nancy Kimball) Abell, Jr., Timothy F. (Kathy Eicholtz) Abell, and Lawrence P. (Cindy) Abell, as well as his sisters Julia J. (Jay) Jones and Jennifer L. (Bryan) Addis. Chris was a devoted uncle. His cherished nieces and nephews include Stephanie M. McDonald, Natalie and Audrey Abell, Patrick, Christopher, Thomas, and Daniel Jones, Dylan and Tyler Addis, and the late Michael L. Abell, whom was also his Godson. Chris considered George's nieces and nephews, Nicholas, Hannah, Joshua, and Jamar Farda and Zachary and Sarah Strausbough to be his own as well. Chris was fond of George's parents and siblings. He often referred to George's mother, Jean, as his second mom.
Chris was an accomplished church organist and pianist. He attended the University of Maryland before transferring to Catholic University, where he studied music on a scholarship. In the late 1970's and early '80s, Chris held jobs playing at many D.C.-area churches, including the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Beginning in the early 1980s through the late 90s, Chris worked as a guest DJ in a number of East Coast clubs. During his DJ days, Chris became an officer with the Mid Atlantic Record Pool, an organization that worked with record companies to arrange for DJs to receive the latest record releases from popular recording artists. Chris was recognized by several recording artists, such as Jodi Whatley, Donna Summer, and Madonna, for promoting their albums.
Chris was a talented artist. He loved to share his still art sketches and paintings with family and friends. Chris enjoyed reading and had an extensive knowledge of historical events. He was always very active in his community and loved living in Washington, DC.
In his spare moments, Chris could be found watching programs on PBS, the History Channel, or retro TV shows.
Chris leaves a number of close friends whose loyalty and love have carried over through many years. Chris had a special rapport with several pets, his own and ones belonging to others. He will be greatly missed by many people and animals.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 10 am. St. James Catholic Church, 2628 Rhode Island Ave., Mt. Rainer, MD. Interment Private. Memorial gifts-National Endowment for the Arts, art.gov/about/donate; or WETA www.weta.org/support/waystogive
Chris was the second of six children of Bernadette Joy Abell and the late John Richley Abell, Sr. He is survived by his longtime partner of fifteen years, George L. Strausbough, Jr. In addition, he is survived by his brothers John R. (Nancy Kimball) Abell, Jr., Timothy F. (Kathy Eicholtz) Abell, and Lawrence P. (Cindy) Abell, as well as his sisters Julia J. (Jay) Jones and Jennifer L. (Bryan) Addis. Chris was a devoted uncle. His cherished nieces and nephews include Stephanie M. McDonald, Natalie and Audrey Abell, Patrick, Christopher, Thomas, and Daniel Jones, Dylan and Tyler Addis, and the late Michael L. Abell, whom was also his Godson. Chris considered George's nieces and nephews, Nicholas, Hannah, Joshua, and Jamar Farda and Zachary and Sarah Strausbough to be his own as well. Chris was fond of George's parents and siblings. He often referred to George's mother, Jean, as his second mom.
Chris was an accomplished church organist and pianist. He attended the University of Maryland before transferring to Catholic University, where he studied music on a scholarship. In the late 1970's and early '80s, Chris held jobs playing at many D.C.-area churches, including the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Beginning in the early 1980s through the late 90s, Chris worked as a guest DJ in a number of East Coast clubs. During his DJ days, Chris became an officer with the Mid Atlantic Record Pool, an organization that worked with record companies to arrange for DJs to receive the latest record releases from popular recording artists. Chris was recognized by several recording artists, such as Jodi Whatley, Donna Summer, and Madonna, for promoting their albums.
Chris was a talented artist. He loved to share his still art sketches and paintings with family and friends. Chris enjoyed reading and had an extensive knowledge of historical events. He was always very active in his community and loved living in Washington, DC.
In his spare moments, Chris could be found watching programs on PBS, the History Channel, or retro TV shows.
Chris leaves a number of close friends whose loyalty and love have carried over through many years. Chris had a special rapport with several pets, his own and ones belonging to others. He will be greatly missed by many people and animals.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 10 am. St. James Catholic Church, 2628 Rhode Island Ave., Mt. Rainer, MD. Interment Private. Memorial gifts-National Endowment for the Arts, art.gov/about/donate; or WETA www.weta.org/support/waystogive
Service
OCT 7. 10:00 AM
Saint James Catholic Church
3628 Rhode Island Avenue
Mount Rainier, MD, US, 20712
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