Earl Hill Christopher, Jr.

Earl Hill Christopher Junior passed away Monday, June 16th with his eldest daughter by his side. He is predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Frances (VonFlatern); his parents, Earl and Ethel (Robbins) Christopher; as well his siblings Priscilla, Norma, and James and his daughter-in-law Lisa Christopher. He is survived by his children: Kimberly Christopher; Timothy Christopher; Michael Earl Christopher; Julia Christopher and her husband Philip Boire. He is also survived by his grandchildren Lindsay Thompson and her husband Matt Thompson; Katharine Carlson and her husband Ryan Carlson; his great granddaughters; Lily Thompson, Charlotte Carlson, and soon to arrive Annalis Thompson; and his many dear nieces and nephews.

Known as Earl Jr. and Uncle Earl to his family, Chris to his colleagues, and Dad and Papa to us.

He grew up in the once small town of Uxbridge on Brown Terrace and attended a one-room schoolhouse. He cleaned the church with his dad as a kid and volunteered at the local Fire Department as a teenager where he drove the fire truck at 16! He attended Worcester Junior College and proudly served his country during the Korean War.

He launched a career in the trucking business selling freight and shipping it across New England. He thrived as a salesman. He met every negotiation and client dinner with gusto and enjoyed many evenings with his peers at Jimmy’s Harborside Restaurant on the Boston Fish Pier. He lived and played as a young professional in New York City where he loved to get up early on Sunday mornings and stroll the streets of a sleeping city.

He met the love of his life during the fun times with the gang in Misquamicut, Rhode Island, and married when he returned home from his army service. They eventually bought a home and settled in Walpole after a stint in New Jersey where, along with his wife, he parented hard and provided every possible opportunity for his kids. Fearless himself, he encouraged his children to be brave and explore, reminding us, “The worst they can say is no, you don’t know if you don’t ask.

With a home in East Walpole and three kids, he bought Happy Days, a cottage on Ocean Ave. in Harwichport with no phone, no TV, but a great pot belly stove. Here he spent his weekends in his painter’s pants and Sherwin Williams hat painting, puttering, and socializing his way through the day before heading to the beach for a 5 o’clock swim.

He had a wonderful family he loved and who loved him back. He embraced and loved his life and all the joys, challenges, and accomplishments it presented. He had a strong moral compass that guided and shaped him into a kind and decent human being. He was deeply committed to his family and his community and always ready to help when needed whether it was to offer support to a neighbor, demonstrate against sludge from Boston’s Big Dig being dumped in Walpole, or participate in starting the community recycling program, he was there.

Now, he’s on his way to where we hope he is meeting up with our mom and all those he’s loved and have gone before him.

We didn’t ask for him as a dad, but were incredibly fortunate to have been given him as one.

We will miss him dearly, and will love him always.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Earl’s visitation on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Home Service will follow at 11:00 am and interment will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Earl’s name may be made to Saint Joseph’s Manor, 215 Thatcher Street, Brockton, MA 02302, or by visiting www.sjmbrockton.com