ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: SANTOPADRE, CHRISTOPHER "CHRIS", JR. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: Serenity Funeral Home, Covington, La. Died: Sunday, March 5, 2017 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= SANTOPADRE, CHRISTOPHER "CHRIS", JR. February 01, 1970 - March 05, 2017 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/sttammany/obits/dateobits/2017/st1703.htm and click to view list of photos. ========== Christopher “Chris” Santopadre, Jr. passed away in the early morning hours of March 5, 2017, at his home in Covington, LA., at the age of 47, after a long, hard, fought battle with brain cancer. Chris was born in New Orleans, LA., spent most of his life in Little Falls, New York and resided in Covington, LA. Christopher Santopadre, Jr. was born February 1, 1970, to Cynthia Blackwell and the late Christopher Santopadre, Sr. He was the brother of Sophia Santopadre, Lisa Santopadre, Victoria Santopadre, and half-brother of Gene Santopadre. He is survived by his wife, Dawn Henderson Santopadre and his beloved son Luke Christopher Santopadre, along with nieces, Kayla, Elisia, Emilia and nephews, Nathan, Alexander and other loving relatives and friends. Chris spent his teenage years in Little Falls, NY., where he graduated from Little Falls High School in 1989. Christopher Santopadre. Jr., was a very proud solider who served his country well, in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 1996 to 2012. He served in numerous Command Posts with the last Command Post Being HHC 256th Infantry Brigade in Lafayette, Louisiana. His last rank was served as a First Lieutenant. In 2003, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 205 Engineer Battalion and in 2010, he was deployed to Iraq with the 928th Sapper Company. Chris received many honors during his military career such the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device. Chris was an accomplished wood craftsman by trade, but later found his true passion in scuba diving, whether he was working as a commercial diver on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, as an underwater bridge inspector, or becoming a technical diver. He later earned his scuba instructor credentials with PADI. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend Funeral Services at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 306 St. Mary Street, Madisonville, LA., on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., and Services begin at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Tammany Animal Resource Team at STARTFOSTERS.COM or Memorial donations may be made to Ugift525.com use code 277-C85 for Luke Santopadre’s college fund US Army ===================