A SON LOST, BUT LOVE LIVES ON
University memorial award, tree dedications honour the life of a special young Ottawa man
Two years ago, on Jan. 7, the world lost a very talented, funny, engaging and happy young man. Chris was in his second year studying at the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture in Cambridge. He was looking forward to coming home for Christmas and finding out where his first co-op placement would be, hoping it would be in New York City.
On Dec. 21, the day before he was to come home, he was hit by a car while crossing the road. He had gone out to pick up a bottle of wine for a special dinner with friends before they headed off home for the holidays.
Chris’s brother, dad, step-mom, step-dad and I spent the next two weeks in the hospital with Chris, holding him, hoping against the odds, then praying for a miracle that didn’t happen. His friends and our relatives came, too. Chris had suffered brain trauma, and he never recovered, never regained consciousness. It was then, still is and always will be devastating.
I am Chris’s mom. Chris will always be a part of my life, the lives of his family and of his circle of friends. Despite the pain we feel for his loss, our memories of Chris are so very much alive, warm our hearts and bring smiles to our faces. That’s because he made us feel special and enriched our lives during the time we had together. I will always be so proud of Chris and the young man he became. Here are what two of his close high school friends have to say about him.
From Jess Gonzales: “Through four years of high school together, Chris and I grew really close. He was the person I went to with happy news, for life advice, to tell me when I was being crazy, or when I just wanted to laugh — no matter what, Chris was always there. We went to see our favourite movies and hear our favourite bands together. Every year on my birthday, Chris would take me out for breakfast; we would laugh and catch up on life. He was the person I was the most comfortable with. Even though I can’t call him or see him, knowing I have so many great memories with Chris keeps me smiling.”
From Erika Jee: “Chris is the reason we remember to laugh every day and not let the little things get us down. Every day he is in our memories to remind us that friends are worth going the extra mile for, to set aside time for one another and to let each other know how much we love each other. Chris did all those things for us.
“He taught us that it’s never a bad time to quote movies. He’d slip them into conversations or text them to us randomly, and suddenly everything didn’t seem so bad. Chris left us with the best thing that anyone possibly could: friendship. He showed us what it means to be a friend, but he also gave us new friends. We have connected with each other to provide support, show love and remember one of the most beautiful persons we have ever known. Every day I am grateful that Chris is a part of my life and me.”
In 2015, for the first time, a firstyear student accepted into the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture received the Christopher Dean Moran Memorial Award in recognition of her exceptional arts portfolio. Chris’s family felt that creating this award was a fitting tribute to his life and memory. We know how happy he was studying there and feel he would be pleased.
We also dedicated two trees to Chris in 2015. Both have special plaques or stones beneath them that include Chris’s art and signature. The first one is in the courtyard behind the School of Architecture in Cambridge, where the students gather. We had a special tree dedication ceremony there in October, attended by Chris’s professors, friends and family.
The second one is on the front grounds of Canterbury High School. On Dec. 23, a group of us gathered at Chris’s Canterbury tree to share our special memories, hang special messages and Christmas ornaments. Chris wasn’t religious. We believe he would approve of our special way of remembering him here in Ottawa at this time. It’s a tradition we intend to continue.
As Chris’s community, we are connected together and continue to share stories about how special Chris is to us. His friends from high school and university are now friends. Chris’s friends are my friends, too. Several of my own friends have become even closer and more dear to me.
Losing a child is something no one should have to endure. And yet we must. Groups such as Bereaved Families of Ontario, Ottawa, and Compassionate Friends have helped. We now meet regularly with our own support group of friends we met through BFO. On Dec. 13, through Compassionate Friends, we joined together with parents all around the world to light candles in memory of our children.
Through our pain, at the same time we also are experiencing the love we have for Chris. Both will last a lifetime. My life changed forever for the better on the day Chris was born. It is by living our best life now in his memory that he continues to live on with us and through us.
He was the person I went to with happy news, for life advice, to tell me when I was being crazy, or when I just wanted to laugh.