Christopher King

Christopher King was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, the only child of the late Joanne King, and the first-born child of Robert Redd. He was born into the King family, nurtured by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Evy King. He was also very proud to be a child of Dominican descent through his maternal grandmother with equally large family ties beyond his extensive African American roots.

Chris, as he was lovingly known among family and friends, was a beautiful, warrior king who took on life as a series of battles to be won and ultimately mastered. Chris fought this final battle valiantly, laying down his sword and shield on April 11, 2025.   He left an indelible legacy of love, especially for family. He always went above and beyond to show up for the people he loved and cared about. He was the glue that kept us all connected.

One of Chris’s earliest battles was to be a scholar/athlete in high school. He attended Lexington High School, where he ran track, and graduated as a member of the Class of 1984. He went on to Boston College where he earned a Bachelor of Science and an MBA. Chris also ran track while an undergraduate student at BC. Chris was a lifelong learner and as such, also attended Northeastern University where he earned certifications as a Computer System Specialist.   

One of the brightest highlights of Chris’s college years was when he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, community service and social action. In 1986, as one of seven men ushered into this Divine Nine historically black Greek letter organization, Chris became woven into the fabric of a rich history as a member of the “Onyx Line” of initiates of Boston’s, Chi undergraduate Chapter. These same brothers were by his side throughout his illness doing whatever he asked, bringing comfort as best they could from near and far.

After graduating from college, Chris established a career in the financial industry working at some of Massachusetts’s oldest and most well-known corporations, among them were Raytheon, Johnson and Johnson, Teradyne, John Hancock and Fidelity Investments Company. He later transitioned from the private sector to the public sector working as a Contract Officer for the State Department of Public Health. Chris was most recently employed as a Paraprofessional with the Boston Public School system. Chris was old school and had a strong work ethic, working hard until he could no longer do so. A true warrior.

Chris had a robust life outside of academic and career pursuits. He ran five marathons, including the Boston Marathon three times, the New York Marathon and the Nairobi, Kenya Marathon. He took Latin dance lessons in Providence, Rhode Island where he often enjoyed Salsa dancing the nights away over the years. Listening to live music was another of his favorite things to do. He recently got VIP treatment when attending a concert featuring an artist managed by his cousin Al Manerson, who was like a big brother to Chris.

Family gatherings were the highlights of his life! Hanging with his closest cousins, the children of his mother’s siblings were the best. He considered his cousins Angela and Myra like big sisters. Their parents always had a place for him during the holidays, as did his mother’s other siblings. He had lots of stories of family fun with his closest cousins the Hemingways, the Peltiers, the Martins, the Manersons, and the Kings. Together all these memories made for a loving and supportive childhood.

His Uncle Peter and Aunt Jemma were special to him, he was proud to be their son Peter Jr.’s Godfather. Peter Jr. was the first of five children whose parents honored Chris with the role of “Godfather”. Chris was humbled by this designation and as with everything he took the assignment very seriously.

Chris always felt he had much to prove to honor his mother in the way she deserved. Surely, she is assuring him now of how proud she is, for a job well done, as he joins her in the heavenly realm.

Left to mourn Chris’s passing are many relatives and friends. Christopher King was a family treasure and will be sorely missed.

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