Christopher Michael Noonan

Christopher Michael Noonan, age 46. Beloved son of Michael "Jerry" and Mayor Jacqueline Noonan. Dear brother of Jerome Brandi, CatherineGregory Lelito, Melissa ChristopherRissman and Tracy BryanOrlowski. Dear Uncle of twelve. Chris grew up in Utica, Michigan and attended Flickinger Elementary, Eppler Junior High and Utica High Schools. He was a Boy Scout and played little league baseball in elementary school. While in high school, Chris was on the varsity swim team where he earned his varsity letter. After graduation from Utica High School he attended Wyoming Technological College in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he earned a certification as an auto mechanic. In 1990 he was hired to the Utica Fire Department. He was in love with fire service beginning in his childhood. His father, Michael J. Noonan, served 42 years on this department. That is where his love of firefighting began. In 1991, he was hired to the Ann Arbor Fire Department, where he spent the next 18 years of his life. He earned his Associates Degree in Fire Science from Macomb Community College, He rose through the ranks to Captain/Acting Battalion Chief. He loved firefighting more than anything in the world. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan Fire Staff and Command School. Chris graduated as the valedictorian of his class. After his firefighting career, Chris returned to school. He attended Wayne State University full time; that is where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science. He then began working at Ever Rest Funeral Home in Muskegon, Michigan. Being a funeral director was a passion of his. He had a calming effect on those he helped in their time of need. Chris was an avid hunter. He hunted everything from deer to boars to rams, even bears. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and The Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He loved spending time with his family, especially his many nieces and nephews. Uncle Chris was the most fun uncle ever! They all loved him very much. Chris has a wicked sense of humor and could always make you smile. Visitation is at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home 8459 Hall road 3 blks East of Van Dyke, Utica, Monday 1:00pm - 9:00pm with the Ann Arbor Fire Department Pass and Review service at 7:00pm. Instate Tuesday July 1 at 9:00am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 44633 Utica Road between M-59& Van Dyke Utica, until time of Mass 10:00am. Contributions appreciated to the Christopher Michael Noonan Memorial Fund. A Celebration of Chris's Life Chris was a wonderful brother, son, uncle and friend: always dependable, loving and helpful. So good natured and faced life with a smile. As a little boy, Chris loved fire trucks and wreckers - and his Dad had both! What a delight to ride along with Dad beaming with excitement. That joy was only surpassed when he too became a certified mechanic and later a Firefighter. Chris loved having a big family and he said it often. He told people about his beautiful sisters, his talented little brother, and when all were married, he got three new brothers and another sister along with seven nieces and five nephews. He was the most fun uncle ever. Chris marched to his own drum and let life take him on many adventures. He was not timid nor shy but quietly meticulous in all he did. He went skydiving, owned a motorcycle, camped hundreds of time, snowmobiled, hunted, fished, kayaked, traveled across the U.S. and Canada. He loved photography, music, Kid Rock, movies and the Motor City. The Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings gave him many happy moments. He traveled to Ireland and Mexico but loved Michigan best. In work and play, Chris always gave his best shot. As a firefighter, he served both his hometown, Utica, for two years and Ann Arbor for 18 years. He was educated having gotten national mechanics license and Funeral director's license besides his Associates Degree in Fire Science, Valedictorian status in Eastern Michigan's Fire Staff and Command School, and Bachelor of Science in Wayne State University's Mortuary Science Program. He worked for funeral homes in Midland, Cadillac, Saginaw and most recently was Managing Director of Ever Rest FH in Muskegon. Service beyond work was what Chris was known for: waterfront supervisor at Summer Burn Camp for children who were victims of fire tragedies as well as Ski Camp for the same groups in the winter up north. He was a member of the statewide Urban Search and Rescue team. He belonged to both the Knights of Columbus and Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternal organizations and Midland Encampment 42. He volunteered for home repairs for the needy in and around Midland and children's summer camp. Chris was a great friend, a very special uncle, an incredible son and a brother of whom to be proud. He is the son any parent would be honored to have. His humor and calm, reassuring demeanor were gifts that served him well both professionally and personally. No one ever saw him get really angry - ever. While he had his demons, he hid them well and others rarely if ever saw him upset. We are grateful for his presence in our lives, the memories he gave us, and we celebrate the life he lived so gracefully. Goodbye, Chris. We will love and remember you always on this your last journey.

Christopher Michael Noonan

April 25, 1968 - June 24, 2014