Chris Charles Sorensen

On November 2, 2016, surrounded by his family, Chris Charles Sorensen, passed away after a long fight with cancer.

He was a loyal husband to Eleanor, his wife of 45 years, a dedicated father to his sons, John and Chris, and a playful and patient grandfather to his granddaughter Christina.

Born in Perth Amboy, NJ in 1946, Chris graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1964.  Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Navy during which he honorable served in the Vietnam War.  Once back home, he began his lifelong career at Praxair - a company at which he worked for over four decades before retiring in 2011.

Chris was a man of quiet dignity and few words, but his actions spoke volumes.  His family and friends will always remember him for his loyalty, kindness, generosity, and stability.

He was a nurturer who enjoyed planting seeds and watching them grow.  Chris loved his garden and looked forward each spring to leafing through the big catalog of seeds to decide what his bounty would be.  His favorite companion in this task was his only grandchild, Christina, who shares his love of gardening and was often found trailing behind grandpa in the garden.  When his sons were young, Chris took great pride in teaching them the life skills that he valued so much - from their camping trips in the summer to learn about fishing and enjoying the great outdoors to weekends spent giving lessons on everything from electrical work to plumbing, car repair, wood working, and welding.  Chris was a man of many talents and he generously shared these skills with his boys.

Chris was a loyal friend to those who were privileged to know him well.  His closet friend was his older son, John, with whom he spent countless hours enjoying their favorite pastimes - concerts, wrestling matches, movies, and family vacations.

His care for all living things was no better evidenced than in his love for animals.  The Sorensen home was a place where all in need could find food, shelter, and love.  Chris was known for rescuing animals and there was always a great story for how they entered his life - from the parakeet that flew into his work truck one evening at a job site, to the "goat" (which was actually a Great Dane) that he found wandering the neighborhood, malnourished and alone.  There was always room in Chris' heart for an animal in need of a family.

Chris is survived by his wife, Eleanor Sorensen, his sons, John Sorensen and Chris Sorensen, his daughter-in-law, Maria Sorensen, and his granddaughter, Christina James Sorensen.  He is also survived by his many siblings, both by blood and by marriage, and his many nieces and nephews.

In respect of Chris' final wishes, no memorial service will be held.  His cremated remains will be released to the sea - a place he loved so much.  His family requests that anyone wanting to honor his memory, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.

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