Christopher A. Yates
November 6, 1952 - August 20, 2018
Christopher Allen Yates, husband and father of four children, died at his home in New Castle, Delaware on Monday, August 20, 2018. Chris was 65 years old and passed away due to cancer, surrounded by his immediate family.
Chris was born on November 6, 1952 in Olney, Maryland, the 7th of the 15 children of Dr. and Mrs. Richard A. Yates, MD. Chris graduated from Palotti High School in Laurel, Maryland in 1969, and received a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland in 1973. In 1980, Chris enrolled at the Williamsport Hospital School of Paramedic Training in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. During his time in Williamsport, he was a member of First Ward Fire Company in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After completing his training in December 1980, he began a 37-year career as a paramedic, dedicating his life to helping those most in need. Chris was hired at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania and worked there, and at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania until his sudden death. As a paramedic, Chris helped to start the Paramedic Union (UNOP) at Taylor Hospital and served as President of the union at Taylor and later at Crozer. As a teacher, Chris taught classes in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) as well as acting as a day to day mentor for many coworkers throughout his career.
In 1985, Chris embarked on a second full-time career as a real estate broker, working until his death at the Bear office of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach Realtors.
Chris also served as a member of the School Board for the Colonial School District in New Castle, where he and his wife raised their four children.
Chris is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Janina, his son Edward Vincent, his daughter Ellen and her husband Bryan Azofeifa-Ramirez, son Eric and the youngest, Evan. Chris is also survived by three grandchildren, Robert Yates, Wyatt Azofeifa and Ryder Azofeifa. Chris’s surviving family includes 14 siblings: Timothy of Martinsburg, West Virginia, Robert of Washington, D.C., Gregory of Columbia, Maryland, Jerome of Largo, Florida, Bernard of Owings Mill, Maryland, Catherine of Olney, Maryland, Francis of Baltimore, Maryland, Cecelia of Frederick, Maryland, Mary of Playa Vista, California, Teresa of Baltimore, Maryland, Matthew of Purcellville, Virginia, Edmund of Washington, D.C., Monica of Portland, Oregon, and Joseph Bartholomew of Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 pm until 5 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Monday, August 27, 2018 at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association (AHA) 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 and/or the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), PO Box 1400, Clinton, MS 39060-1400.
Claudia Pabo
So sorry to learn of your loss. Thinking of you, especially Bob and Edmund.
Bill MacBain
So sorry to learn of his passing, Bob. It looks like he did what we all hope to do, make the world a better place.
Margie Berry
Sincere Condolences to theYates Family.
Georgianna Trietley
Janina, So sorry to learn of Chris’ passing. I will keep you and the family in my prayers. May he rest in peace.
carol micucio
My heart and message of sympathy goes to the family. I was a friend and working associate of Chris’s in real estate. He has left this world too soon. He had so much to contribute to so many people.He will be missed.
James Simmonds, Past Chief of Prospect Park Fire Company
All of us at the Prospect Park Fire Company are praying for your family.
Chris was a great man and teacher. I had the pleasure of working with him on many calls. When I take a moment and think about all the lives Chris has saved throughout his career, all I can say is amazing.
Chris was always there for us atfire calls. Always watching our backs and keeping us safe.
Chris will truly be missed by all of us.
God bless you all.
James Simmonds, Past Chief
Prospect Park Fire Company
Patricia
RIP Chris. So glad I got to know you when I was dispatched as a Police Officer to medical calls. You are a great guy with a sense of humor. My town was better because of your caring for our residents. Thank You for your service.
Virginia Pearson
What a surprise! May Almighty God take good care of Christopher in his new home. Can’t you just imagine Christopher getting the grand tour of his new surroundings. Peace and comfort to Janina and your children and grandchildren. Also to all 14 of Christopher‘s siblings and their families, too. Life is going to be a little different for all of you from now on. Strength for the journey, my friends.
debrah oxendine
To the Yates family, I am so sorry to hear this devastating news. Chris was a wonderful person always smiling and helping everyone that he could. It was a pleasure knowing him. Eric, hugs to you.
Velma Brown
My prayers are with the Yates family. Christopher Yates was a precious Hero to many. May the Lord grant you peace during this time of loss.
William & Beverly Kovalcik
We the Kovalcik family meet Chris with him helping my Son William and Ana with there first home
He was the listing agent for my home William J & Beverly A
Chris wear your wings proud
He will be missed
The Kovalcik
Richard Farmer
We are so deeply saddened to learn of Chris’ passing. Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to the entire family. We remember Chris being such a huge supporter of his kids as they journeyed through the Colonial schools, and stepping up to become a member of the Colonial Board of Education. We always appreciated his presence and support during our years in the district. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Richard & Dottie Farmer
Mary Miller (aka Missy Aylward)
I am so sorry to hear we’ve lost Christopher. So many good memories! He was the first to come calling when we moved in next door to the Yates family on August 23, 1961. So many seemingly endless summers of creative playing. The time we lived in Coudersport, PA, and he lived right down the road in Austin, PA, and on and on. Guess I thought he’d just always be here. The physical being may be ended but he’ll live forever in our hearts.
Jim Young
I had the pleasure to work one on one with Chris at Century 21 for several years, his heart was always in the right place and he would tell it like it was. He was a good man. My condolences and prayers go out to the Yates family and all his friends and colleagues RIP Chris
Tim Kaiser
I’ve known of Chris since 1996, when I first became an EMT, but have been privileged to work with him regularly since 2011 – when he came back to Crozer Chester. Whether working the medic units, teaching classes, or even when he coerced me into joining the union contract negotiation committee – Chris was always able to make any situation more bearable with his keen wit and wry sense of humor. I remember teasing him recently, as I often did, about the dichotomy of him being a paramedic but driving a Mercedes to work. I jokingly asked if it might time to upgrade his ride – since his “status symbol” was getting a little older. His response, definitively Chris, was, “Why should I get a new one? I like driving this one.” And I guess that’s how I’ll always remember Chris: a guy who was never really out to impress anyone – yet somehow always managed to do so anyway.
Roger Lamborne
Dear Yates family. I am so sorry to learn of Chris’ passing. I will keep you and the family in my prayers. May he rest in peace. Condolences to all his brothers and sisters whom we grew up with in Olney Md. Chris will be fondly remembered.
Carole Dowling Devivo
My deepest condolences to all of you. I grew up with most of you. My prayers go out to all of you. Rest in peace Christopher.
Carole Dowling Devivo
Jordan Knarr
I was floored to learn of Chris’ passing. In addition to being a competent partner, Chris was a great guy to work with.
Coming to Chester as a new medic, I saw in him the full realization of the view I was trying to puzzle out on my own – that we will all make it through the shift, that we can have a laugh along the way, and that the petty aggravations that come along are a meager price to pay to do some significant good.
He’d probably call me a name for being flowery about it, but I doubt he’d disagree.
I pray God holds closely the rest of his family in this time of grief.
Paul Dowling
I am so saddened by this news. I grew up with the Yates family, and have many fond memories of time with them all. Condolences to all the family, my heart is with you.
Pat Niland
So very sorry to hear about Chris. Condolences to the Yates family from the Niland family. Many memories from growing up in Olney together.
Lisa Barchi
Ellen, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He sounds like a remarkable man who touched the lives of many in a positive way.
Elaine Woerner
So sorry to hear of Chris’ passing. Our prayers go out to his family. RIP, Chris. Elaine & John
Mary O’Prey
Sending prayers to the Yates family. Eric thinking of you and your family. So sorry for your loss
Michael Tedesco
So sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences go out to Ellen and the rest of the Yates family.
Gayle Hanna
I am so very sorry to hear about Chris. He was an wonderful man and touched many lives with such inspiration, wisdom and kindness. I wish your family comfort and peace at this very difficult time. Special thoughts to Eric.
Jennifer Hart
Thoughts and prayers to your family at this time. Chris was an amazing man. He was always there to lend a helping hand. He will be greatly missed. Special thoughts and hugs to you Eric.
Mildred Hartman
Janina and family, I am soo very sorry to have to read this obituary. Although I moved away 20 years ago, I still thought of Chris as one of my best friends. We had many years together as partners as Hartman and Associates and Century 21 Hartman-Yates. His love and compassion for you and his fellow human beings has seldom been equaled. I pray that his life will be celebrated as he deserved and as I know you will join me in this wish. You and your beautiful family are in my prayers.
Charisse Flint Scully
Chris was my co-worker, mentor, and customer but mostly my friend for the last 29 years. I’m shocked and deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I was just talking to him a couple of weeks ago when he came in for his haircut. He was his usual busy self. We talked about his cancer and how his scars would heal and he’d be fine. I was sure he would be. Chris was such a caring person, always making sure (in his own gruff way) that his family members were all doing well. He’d do what ever he had to to ensure just that. I had a great deal of respect for him. He was a super hard worker. A “workaholic”, but if you called him and needed his help, he’d do whatever he could to help. I’m really gonna miss him.
To Janina, Vincent, Ellen, Eric and Evan, I’m so very sorry for your loss.
RIP Chris
John Spear
So sorry to hear of Chris’s passing. I got to know him when I worked in Taylor Hospital’s Emergency Room. What a GREAT guy ! My thoughts and prayers to his family. RIP “Mr Yates !
Cassandra Crowell
To my Aunt and cousins,
I love you all so very much and I am so sorry that you have to be feeling this loss. Uncle Chris was an amazing Father, husband, and friend to you all. I hope for your peace through these times.
Merrit Herr-Neckar
Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the Yates family, and all who are feeling the loss. I was honored to have worked with Chris for 30 + years. I was blessed to call him friend.
Merrit & Priscilla
Jen McFalls
I am so very sorry to hear of Chris. Your family has been in my prayers since i heard the news he was sick.
I have had the honor of knowing him for 10 years. From being a brand new EMT and knowing absolutely nothing, he was always there to teach me when i needed. He gave me the confidence and push i needed to make the next move in my career. I had just worked with him two weeks ago. He was my favorite partner, we always had a blast working together. To getting our treats from Rita’s, having my back on calls, giving me life advice, and to making fun of me, I am blessed to have known him, and to call him a friend. He’d tell me i was his “meanest partner” and i would tell him he is “father time”. I am truly devastated, EMS in Delaware County will never be the same.
Chris, thank you for everything you have done for me. It was an honor and a blessing to have known you. You are so missed and loved dearly my friend. I will forever be grateful.
To The Yates Family, thank you for sharing him with us. My heart goes out to all of you. He was a great person who is well loved by all who worked with him. I hope you all find peace during this tragic time. Your EMS family is here for you. God bless you all.
Rest in Peace Chris “Father Time” Yates, from your favorite “meanest partner”.
Angela E Johnson
My love and condolences to the Yates family.
John Kennedy
Condolences and prayers to the Yates family. It was a pleasure knowing amd working with Chris. He had helped my wife Lisa when she an anaphylactic reaction when I brought her to the emergency room.
Luke Patterson
Janina,
In my fixed memory of you and Christopher, you will remain forever young – getting married in 1981 in our dining room by the ‘rent-a-minister’.
I am very sorry I was unable to get out of my Cantor duties this weekend at St. Eulalia’s here in Coudersport, as all three alternates are away on vacation.
Christopher is among the finest people I have ever known. All his family should be extremely proud!
Margaret Beckel
I met Chris when I became a Realtor at Century 21 years ago. I am forever grateful for the help and guidance Chris would give no matter how busy he was. He has touched so many lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to Chris’s family and friends at such a great loss. Rest in Peace Chris
Lee Cowley
So sorry for your loss Yates family, I worked with Chris at Taylor and he was a great person, teacher, and friend. He made a lasting impact on many lives in the community and will be missed.
Virginia Pearson
What a sad turn of events. Chris was such an engaged person; such a contributor to society. My heart goes out to Janina and the children and grandchildren, not to mention all the siblings and other family members. Be assured that Chris has entered the beautiful place that God has created just for him.
Jan Savoy
Janina, I am deeply saddened by the news of Chris’s passing. May I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Chris was a wonderful, kind human being. He has left this earth way too soon. Chris, my friend, may you rest in peace..
Dream Yvonne J. Perkins
JUST found out! 😢 Chris assisted me in buying my first home back in 1993. He was always very patient, and very cordial. He made my first time buying experience quite enjoyable rather than stressful because he was so calm and patient. Chris was always available when I needed him to answer a question or resolve an issue. He will be warmly missed as being a superb asset to his profession and as a very decent, likable person. May he forever rest in God’s paradise.
Alison GILL
One Saturday in 1987 I called Century 21 to see about a house, and Chris picked up. This began a years-long friendship. but unfortunately we lost track of one another. What I remember clearly was his deep devotion to, and pride in, his family and his calling to his EMT career. His death was a true loss to his community. I extend my condolences belatedly to his family.