There are some people whose lives are measured not by the years they lived, but by the innumerable lives they transformed. Byron Christopher "Chris" Sumner was one of those rare souls.

Born on November 9, 1961, Chris was a proud son of Roxbury devoted to the City of Boston throughout his entire life. The cherished middle child of Annie Blanche Sumner, he grew up alongside his beloved sisters, Marcia and Cheryl, surrounded by love, resilience, and faith. Though he never had the opportunity to know his father, Chris made the decision early in life that would define him forever: he would become the father he never had. That promise became the heartbeat of his life.

Chris attended Christ Temple Church of Personal Experience and was educated at the Curley Elementary School, Lewis Middle School, and The English High School where the team won two basketball City Championships. He was also a proud member of the legendary BNBL team, The Titans, led by coach Al Brodsky. He would also acknowledge Mrs. Alfreda Harris, and the late Al Kinnitt as major influences in his development as a young person and also as an adult.

An accomplished athlete, he excelled in baseball, track, and hockey, but it was basketball that opened doors beyond Boston, earning him scholarships to the University of Prince Edward Island and Acadia University in Nova Scotia. His time in Canada became one of the great joys of his life, where he was recognized as CIAU First Team All-Canadian, AUAA Men's Basketball MVP,

all-conference athlete, and where he played semi-pro (1982-1983) during the year he had to sit out due to transferring schools. During his final year at Acadia University (1984-85), he was named the Conference Scoring Champion. Canada forever remained a treasured place for Chris and his family.

Chris Sumner pursued all athletics with his complete mind, body and spirit. His latest passion was cycling. He reveled in doing Centuries (100 mile jaunts), and loved playing jazz music loudly (for safety reasons he assured us) while riding his mountain or road bike throughout the city, the Blue Hills and beyond. He was a proud and active member of the: Urban Cycling Club, Landry Cycling Club, Blue Hills Cycling Club, and the Major Taylor Cycling Club.

Music was always a through-line in his life. He was the first drummer at New Covenant Christian Center (later Jubilee) and was known for having a driving bass beat, thanks to his strong legs and large feet. He was passionate about his love of the gospel group Commissioned and later was completely devoted to Fred Hammond and the jazz musings of Robert Glasper. He enjoyed many different artists and musical styles and he loved to dance!

One of Chris's greatest gifts was his humility. While exceptionally brilliant and driven, he was never too proud to revisit unfinished dreams. After completing four years of college, he returned to earn

his GED in 1986, demonstrating to countless young Black men that it is never too late to finish what you started. He later completed his bachelor's degree at Springfield College in 1997 before earning a Master of Social Work from Wheelock College in 2013, believing that education was one of the greatest tools for serving others.

Chris first noticed the love of his life, Katani, at a city basketball game while they were in high school, but their story truly began at a revival service at Good Shepherd Church of God in Christ in 1981. Their friendship grew while walking through the streets of Boston after church events and basketball games, talking for hours about faith, family, music, and their shared calling to uplift young people. Chris often referred to Katani as his "Sunshine," and anyone who saw the way he looked at her understood why. They were married in 1985 and built a marriage rooted in Christ, friendship, laughter, and unwavering devotion that spanned more than four decades.

The greatest joy of Chris's life was becoming a husband and father. When Kandice was born he embraced fatherhood with every fiber of his being. His love for his children inspired him to establish a neighborhood daycare center, Covenant Kiddie Kollege, creating a nurturing environment not only for his own daughter but for children throughout the community. Kortney and Kristian completed the family that Chris treasured above all else. His children knew at all times that they were deeply loved, fiercely protected, and endlessly believed in. This fervor extended to the myriad of young people and adults he spiritually fathered as he was affectionately revered as "everyone's Dad".

In 2021, Chris embraced perhaps his most cherished title of all, "Pop-Pop". His beloved granddaughter, Shiloh Zora, and grandson, Xaden Christopher (born in 2025), brought him immeasurable joy. He delighted in every moment spent with them, especially his treasured Wednesday adventures with his "Noodles," Shiloh. His grandchildren were, in his eyes, gifts from God and living reminders of legacy fulfilled.

A true servant of Christ, Chris's faith was the foundation upon which every aspect of his life was built. He faithfully served as Executive Pastor of Jubilee Christian Church, where he preached with conviction, humility and humor, and loved God's people wholeheartedly. His relationship with God was not confined to the pulpit—it was evident in the way he encouraged, protected, mentored, and served everyone he encountered.

Professionally, Chris devoted his entire career to serving what he affectionately called the city's "treasured assets"—its children, young adults, families, and elders. His leadership transformed lives across Boston as the Executive Director of: the I Have A Dream Program, the Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, the Boston Ten Point Coalition, and the St. Stephen's Youth Programs. He was the initial Director of Wheelock College's "Teacher Bound-Upward Bound Program," which has developed and nurtured many educators in the Commonwealth. He was the Program Director of the Boston Urban Youth Foundation and the initiator of their truancy intervention program called "Opening Doors". He served faithfully for five years as the Chief Operations Executive at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center where he was also the most popular spin instructor. In 2022 Chris was appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu, to serve on the inaugural Boston Civilian Review Board (CRB) of the Boston Police Department.

His final professional role was the one he often called his dream job. He was appointed by Governor Maura Healey as the Executive Director of DCR's (Department of Conservation and Recreation), Melnea A. Cass Recreation Complex, Roxbury Heritage State Park, and the Dillaway-Thomas House. Chris found himself back in Roxbury, serving in the very neighborhood that helped raise him. He loved bringing visitors to the back door of his office, pointing toward the home where he grew up with awe and gratitude, marveling at God's faithfulness in bringing him full circle. Even after ALS forced his early retirement, his spirit of service never diminished.

Chris possessed a remarkable gift for making every person feel like the most important person in the room. Whether mentoring a young person, comforting a grieving family, encouraging a colleague, or embracing a lifelong friend, he made people feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. He was a gentle giant in every sense—strong enough to protect, humble enough to serve, and compassionate enough to make room for everyone.

Chris peacefully entered the presence of his Lord on July 5, 2026 (the same date his mother transitioned 33 years prior), surrounded by his devoted wife and daughters. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Annie Blanche Sumner, and by his dear sister Marcia Sumner, in April of this year.

He leaves to cherish his life, and extend his extraordinary legacy, his soulmate Katani Eaton Sumner, his loving children, Dr. Kandice Sumner (Danny Soto), Kortney Sumner (Jamie Howard), and Kristian Sumner; his treasured grandchildren, Shiloh Zora and Xaden Christopher; his beloved sister, Cheryl Sumner; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren including: Dr. Rufus J. Faulk, Russell Paulding, Rochelle & Tony Lee, Chenelle Barros, Felix Espinal, Dr. Jasmine Silvernagel-Reid, and Matthew Keith Thompson Jr., his church family, lifelong friends, biking buddies, colleagues, mentees, and the thousands of young people, families, and community members whose lives are forever changed by his love.

Chris Sumner's life was a living sermon. His legacy is not merely found in the buildings he led, the titles he held, or the awards he received. It lives on in every child he believed in, every family he strengthened, every community he served, and every life he inspired.

Well done, good and faithful servant. You are now among the ancestors and have joined the great "cloud of witnesses" cheering us on from above. We love y

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to

Compassionate Care ALS at www.ccals.org Tributes/Chris Sumner

Compassionate Care ALS

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