Christopher Chergoski

Christopher R. Chergoski, our son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend has left this world. Born in Ventura, CA December 1975, left this world fighting on November 14, 2022 with his family & many caregiver/family members surrounding him.

Whether you knew him as Christopher Robin, Chris, Ooeee, Ski or Big Fat Ski, you were part of his life & you became his friend & held a special place in his heart. He loved all the ....personality.... that we brought to his world.

He is survived by his Mom/Karen, Sister/Nanette Crane, Brother-In-Law/Brian Crane II, Niece Tyler Crane all of Ventura & Niece Kylie Crane of Wapella, IL.

Chris graduated from Ventura High School, a Cougar to the end, Ventura College and Chico State.

While ALS, diagnosed 2003, took his mobility, it never took his spirit, sense of humor or his lust for life. From the age of 8 months when he walked off of a sofa to try to join the kids outside, no he couldn't walk but by 10 months he could. Chris was ready to go, ready for each challenge, for each new adventure, trying to find a way to cross the street to play with friends, sneak over with his sister Nanette to the Ford families house and play with the Ford girls who he considered his sisters or try any new sport we could get him into, track, soccer, wrestling, rugby or his love football.

Chris' mobility was taken but not his love for any activity he could get out for. He loved the Dodgers and would get to Dodger stadium any chance he could with the help of friends. He also loved the Raiders no matter where they were located. He & his college roommate followed the Raiders, game day the texts would fly. He was blessed by a determined RN @ Sub-Acute,along with others to get tickets to a Raider game in LA & field access, also received a signed ball after the game.

He would offer to communicate with anyone newly diagnosed with ALS. Researched his ancestry. His adaptive device kept him busy and allowed him to text, email, change the TV channel, search the web, use a lap top and speak for him when he couldn't. Yes, he nearly did all of this at once and used his eyes to do it, his eyes were his hands.

Chris got his sense of humor from his Dad/Edward who preceded him in death along with both his maternal and paternal grandparents and a baby cousin Evan.

He is survived by Mom/Karen, Sister/Nanette Crane, Brother-in-Law/Brian Crane II, Niece/Tyler Crane, all of Ventura & Niece/Kylie Crane of Wapella, IL. & many relatives in the Midwest.

One thing Chris was always grateful for through his challenge with ALS was all that his family, friends, medical staff and many others gave him. He was amazed & grateful for all the innovative ways family & friends participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS research, came to walks & challenged other friends to participate.

We can't thank you all enough for all you did for Chris & our family. Whether you took him on a new adventure in the early stage of diagnosis, invited him to your home, volunteered time to spend with him when he or the family had appointments, were there for assistance with his power chair, donated a van for his use, donated to ALS Golden West Chapter (GWC), dropped by for a visit, sent a text or email, we are so appreciative.

Special Thanks to:

Muscular Dystrophy Association, first contacted after diagnosis & participation in a drug trial & clinic.

ALS Association, Golden West Chapter for their support from the early days through his last days.

Superior Mobility for their assistance with a companion chair to power chair and the fight for a new power chair when his old one was deemed unsafe due to electrical issues, etc. and the State denied the cost for a new one.

Ehret Family for the donation of a handicap van for his use.

Ford Girls who provided a place for us to rent when needed.

Michael Schodorf & family who came up with the idea for the ALS Sucks Poker Game, approx. 7 years running before Covid. Michael's idea tagged onto the Ventura "Ski" Team which Chris started to raise funds for the ALSA Golden West Chapter for research and equipment for ALS PALS. The Ventura "Ski" Team walked their first walk in LA and once completed Chris knew he had to get the ALSA GWC to start a walk for Ventura & Santa Barbara ALS PALS. He "walked" in LA, 19 walks in Ventura & 3 walks in San Diego. The Ventura "Ski" Team comprised of family & friends across the country brought in over $300,000 in the years since the walk was initiated.

Sean & Brandi Burdick for naming their 3rd child in honor of Chris. Chris was very touched by this and so enjoyed watching his namesake grow along with Chris' brother Braden & sister Anna Claire.

Caregiver, Martin, who was with Chris each day while he still lived at home.

St. John's Pleasant Valley Sub-Acute Team, doctors, nurses, LVN's, CNA's, Respiratory Techs, Physical Therapy, Activities Group, Spiritual team and the Facilities team. What an amazing group of caring people. They are all the sunshine in the SAU Resident's days.

Chris always knew he was blessed even as the disease progressed.  He knew you all near and far helped him turn the “lemons” of this diagnosis into lemonade or should we say “ice” into donations for research and for each unconditional act you gave him.

A celebration of life will be held, announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, etc. it’s Chris’s wish, you consider a donation to one of the following:

ALSA Golden West Chapter

(Ventura “Ski” Team)

P O Box 7082, Woodland Hills,   CA  91365

OR

A charity of your choice.