Obituaries

COLUMBUS - Chris Jeney, age 57, passed away at his home in Columbus, Ohio on March 13, 2023. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on January 8,1966 (a birthdate he shared with Elvis Presley, David Bowie, and Stephen Hawking, an interesting compilation of characters, much like Chris). Chris was preceded in death by his father Evan Jeney and sister-in-law Andrea Wobst-jeney. He is survived by his loving mother Carol Jeney, his brother Steve Jeney and his partner Kathleen, his other brother Bobby Hoag his nephews Alexander “Zander” and his fiancé Sarah and Frankie (Eileen) Jeney, his uncle and aunt, Mike and Ann Fraley and their family, and his aunt Cathy Astley and her family. Chris attended Barrington and Our Lady of Victory Elementary Schools, followed by Jones Junior high school, and Upper Arlington high school until 11th grade when he transferred to the Stowe School in Vermont where he graduated high school. During his years in Vermont Chris found his love of the outdoors where he often spent days and weeks at a time hiking, skiing, and climbing in the Adirondacks and Green mountains. Upon his return to Columbus after high school Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Ohio State. Chris was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity in college where he made and or solidified many of his closest friendships. After college, Chris put his International Studies degree to good use spending time in Budapest Hungary, the city from where his father Evan had immigrated. During that time Chris developed an import export business selling industrial products to companies in the USA through his company East West Trading. During his travels to Hungary and other Eastern European countries, Chris was able to capitalize on sourcing high quality industrial products from former Iron Curtain countries, selling them in the States at prices well below the world market. During this time Chris and his brother Steve along with other friends began buying wine-making properties in the Hungarian countryside, previously not available to foreigners prior to the collapse of communism. In Chris’s later years we saw his talents for the fine arts blossom through many of his oil paintings which he proudly gave to close friends and family. For those that knew Chris, you knew several unwavering things about him. First, he had a heart as big as the world. Second, he knew no stranger. Third he had an undeniable love for his family including his beloved 22-year-old Vizsla dog named Keddy. And lastly, he was as bullheaded as anyone you might encounter, often taking the opposite side of a discussion or debate just for his own entertainment. Chris was a Bon Vivant and the life of any social setting making sure all around him were enjoying their time as much as he was. He will be remembered with a smile on his face, most likely a drink in hand, and an entertaining story to tell. He was fiercely loyal to his friends and family and saw the good in all! He will be terribly missed by his family and friends leaving a void in the hearts of those that knew and loved him, rest in peace Christopher! Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST. In lieu of flowers please make any donations to Adopt a Family Adopt a Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc. (aafpbc.org) and or Toby’s Dream https://tobysdream.org/donations/. Details of Chris’s Celebration of Life will be forthcoming. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.