Christiaan Surat

A Kind-Hearted, Hardworking Man

Christiaan Surat, 38 of Naples, Fla., died on Thursday, October 9, at Avow Hospice in Naples following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Staten Island, N.Y., on November 26, 1969, a son to Ellen Surat.  Christiaan moved to Connecticut as a young boy and graduated from Newtown High School in 1986. He worked as an independent owner-operator for long-distance trucking operations. He was a passionate fisherman and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle-riding enthusiast.

His friends and family will always remember Chris as a kind-hearted, hardworking man who was generous with his time and talents. Through his long illness, Chris never lost his optimistic outlook and his appreciation for life. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

Chris is survived by his mother, Ellen Barron, and stepfather, Robert E. Barron of Naples, Fla., and by his loving son Dominic O’Neil. He was the grandson of Lawrence and Mildred Surat of Newtown, a nephew to aunts Jean Kunkel and Susan Prince, and also to his uncle, Lawrence Surat Jr. He was the beloved cousin of Matthew, Benjamin, and Caroline Kunkel, Nicole Silva, Keith and Rebecca Prince, and Sean Surat.

He died too young and will be greatly missed by all.

A memorial service and celebration of Christiaan’s life will be held Saturday, October 18, at noon, at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street in Newtown.

Donations in Christiaan Surat’s name may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples FL 34105.

The Newtown Bee        October 17, 2008