Christopher Eric Homme, 75, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 7, 2021, at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point.
Born in 1945 in Franklin, Pa., Chris lived in North Braddock and North Huntingdon, Pa., before moving to Ocean City in 1985.
He worked in various jobs including as a steel mill crane operator and a design coordinator, but he was most proud of his 21 years as a van driver for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Chris drove other veterans from the southern New Jersey Community Based Outpatient Clinic to the Wilmington, Del., VA Medical Center. He advocated for them, always offered them encouragement and felt privileged to do so. Christopher served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era.
Family and friends described Chris as a free spirit. He enjoyed walking the boards, riding his bike around town, listening to jazz and meeting new friends at Starbucks. More than anything, Chris was devoted to his art work. He studied art at the Universal Art Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., at two community colleges and with several southern New Jersey artists. He was passionate about his painting.
For four months, Chris fought as a warrior to defeat the virus that was destroying his lungs. He did not survive. Our family is deeply grateful to Holy Redeemer Hospice Services and the Shore Medical Center employees involved with his care.
During the last two weeks of his life, the Telemetry Unit staff was superb in its care and support for Chris and his wife.
Left to mourn are his wife of 49 years, Phyllis Homme Kanarkowski (his beloved Phylly); his brother James Homme Jr. (Clara) of Pittsburgh; his sisters Joyce Dempsey (Fred, deceased) of Lorain, Ohio; and Lenora Oeftering (Vic) of Elyria, Ohio. Phyllis’ sisters and brother loved and welcomed Chris and are also grieving: Rita Kanarkowski, Bernice Stepien (Michael, deceased) and LaVerne Albert (Donald, deceased) of Pittsburgh; Denise and Dennis Yeager of Greensburg; and Paul Moffa of Greensburg. There are numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends (both long-time and recent) who will also miss him.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents Mary E. (Crago) Homme and James D. Homme Sr.
A Memorial Mass at St. Augustine Church will be scheduled in the future and a Celebration of Life will later be held in Pittsburgh.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Chris’ name may be made to the Ocean City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6650, to Shore Medical Center or to a veterans organization. To share condolences, visit godfreyfuneralhome.com.
