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Obituary of Maxwell E Christopher
A TRIBUTE TO MAXWELL E. CHRISTOPHER
Maxwell E. Christopher, fondly known as Max or Chris, son of the late James Christopher and Ily Minor was born January 23, 1927, and departed this earthly life on May 19, 2023.
Max was born in Harlem, New York, and was one of three children. A sister, Carmelita Forbes, preceded him in death.
He received his early education in Harlem and Jamaica, West Indies, and completed his high school education there. He was drafted into the military service at the end of World War II, one day after returning to the States following high school. He honorably served in the United States Army for four years. He honored his military service later in life by serving in the American Legion Honor Guard.
Upon returning to the United States, Chris used his military educational benefits to attend the then West Virginia State Teachers College (now University) in Institute, West Virginia majoring in industrial arts. He made lifelong friends at this HBCU and treasured these connections through the years.
After graduation, Chris became employed with the United States Government for over thirty years, first with the Department of Navy as a ship designer and then with the Department of Defense as a Defense Contract Administrator. After his retirement, he taught industrial arts as a long-term substitute teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. He enjoyed instructing young people and wanted them to learn skills to help them live productive lives.
On August 1, 1953, he married the love of his life, Ula M. Davis, from Jamaica, New York. While they never had biological children, they were actively involved in the lives of their nieces, nephews, godchildren, and children in the communities where they lived. They traveled the world and were quite a curious couple, always game to engage in new adventures together and promoting each other’s passions.
Chris and Ula began their lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, and then moved to Teaneck, New Jersey, in the early sixties. In the mid to late sixties, they made their home in Broomall, Pennsylvania, until they became “snowbirds” in retirement.
Maxwell had an inquisitive mind and was a technical genius. He was interested in quantum physics. He could build or fix anything and subscribed to Popular Mechanics Magazine to stay abreast of new developments. Max built a stereo system for his home. He even constructed an airplane in his garage after receiving his pilot’s license. Most auto and home projects were tackled in his free time, and he relished the opportunity to assist his buddies with their home improvement tasks. Chris was also an entrepreneur in the early sixties, long before the term was fashionable, and tried his hand at owning a laundromat. He loved basketball, football, tennis, Star Trek, science fiction and horror movies. He was the home cook who enjoyed trying new recipes and making fresh whole wheat bread for he and Ula to enjoy at dinner.
Chris was known as dignified, intelligent, an independent thinker, and soft-spoken. Despite his seemingly gruff demeanor, he was a gentle spirit, kind and loyal. As his beloved wife stated: “He loved people; if you wanted a friend, he was the friend you needed.”
Maxwell E. Christopher leaves to mourn his loss and celebrate his memory; a devoted wife of 69 years, Ula D. Christopher; a brother James Christopher of Regina Saskatchewan, Canada; nieces, Ily Christopher, Lilieth “Lee” Hodgson, Maia Christopher (goddaughter), Karen Davis Reynolds, and Cheryl Hines; nephews, John Christopher, Albert Christopher, James Christopher, Harold Davis, Kevin Davis; brother in law, Ismail Qaadir; goddaughters Susan C. Moody, and Gaile Moody Plowden; two grandchildren, Theo Plowden, and Faith Plowden, and a host of great nieces and nephews and loving friends.
