This memorial website was created in the memory of my cousin, Christopher Knepper who was born in New York on Aug 21, 1985 and was taken from us on Oct 29, 2004 at the age of 19. He graduated from Bellport High School and was attending Suffolk Community College. Just 6 days before he was killed, Chris took the New York City Police Department test and he was sure he got 100%! UPDATE: Chris' parents recieved a letter from the NYPD saying that he placed in the top 10% of the over 10,000 people who took the test(New update... Chris' parents recieved another letter from the NYPD informing them that Chris got a 93% on his test!). When they contacted the NYPD to tell them of Chris' death, they said it was a real shame because as soon as he turned 21, he would have been offered a spot in the academy. YOU MADE IT CHRIS!!! He would have made a terrific Police Officer because he was fair and compassionate and had a definite sense of right and wrong. His family and friends meant everything to him and having a family of his own was his biggest goal in life. Although he was still a teenager, he couldn't wait to get married and have children of his own. He would have been a great Dad...the younger kids in our family followed him around and he enjoyed every second of it!
Christopher's time with us was short, but he was so full of life, it seemed that he lived a whole lifetime in just 19 years. I could never have imagined just how many lives he touched. Over 1500 people came to his wake! And everyone had a story to tell about Chris whether it was funny or about how he changed their life. That is why I wanted to create this memorial, not just for Christopher...but for all his family and friends to share stories. We all know what a great sense of humor he had and knowing Chris, I really believe that he would have wanted us all to remember him with a smile and a funny story (and maybe with Sweet Home Alabama playing in the background!) You can add a little sentence or two in the Memorial Candle section...but you can write as much as you want in the Tribute and Condolences section...tell funny stories about Chris, what he meant to you, etc. Please, I would love to hear from anyone who has a picture to add. Just e-mail me and I will put it on the site as soon as I can. Please come back often as I will be adding new pictures and hopefully some audio and video soon. Also, tell everyone you know who knew Chris about this site. I want it to be HUGE!!! 12/29/04 - I would love pictures from anyone who has gotten a tattoo in honor of Christopher...even if you don't want your face showing! Just make it real close up. I'll be getting one soon hopefully and I would like to put all the tattoo pictures together on one page! 2/25/05 - TO CHRISTOPHER'S FRIENDS- I would love to hear from any of you that have suggestions of songs to download on the site...songs that remind you of Chris or that were particular favorites of his (ummm..lets just keep it clean!!!). We all know how much he loved Sweet Home Alabama, so I've already done that one...but I would love to add more. For those who don't know, the song playing in the backround on the site is a traditional Irish song called Toora Loora Loora, An Irish Lullaby (it's the Bing Crosby version). Our Nana's parents were from Ireland and her mom would sing that to her as a child...then she sang it to her children including Chris' mom who of course then sang it to Chris. 6/29/05 - For anyone who doesn't know yet, Chris' headstone is up at the cemetery and it is really beautiful. It has a picture of Chris etched into it.
Tributes and Condolences
I was listening to the radio and this song came on..... / Patsy (Mom)
Words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons and Music by Charlie Chaplin
SMILE
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and...
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I'll love you forever / Patsy (Mother)
I used to read the book Love You Forever by Robert Munsch to Christopher when he was a little boy. The story is about a mother watching the stages her little boy goes through until he is a man. I used to say to him that he was my baby and that he wou...
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So Proud... / Dad
I’m sorry this has taken so long but it is still so hard. I’ve tried to write before but just couldn’t continue after a few minutes. I try to visit this site often but I can’t stay too long…it still hurts so much. Even though the prayers and condo...
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Miss you so much / Lil Knepper (Darling sister :))
Its been really hard for me to go on this site because seeing pictures of chris makes me think of how I'll never ever be able to see him again and theres nothing I can do about it, Whenever I had a problem I would go to him most of the time he would ...
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I Love you... / Shawnie (Cousin)
Christopher, I remember so clearly the day you born...me and Nana waiting ALL DAY at the hospital. From that day, I ALWAYS thought you were an amazing kid. I wish I had told you Chris because I don't think you knew how highly I thought of...
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How I will remember Chris / Shawnie Cullity (Cousin)Read >>
always on my mind / Erika Lang (Girlfriend)Read >>
remembering and holding on / Erika Lang (Girlfriend)Read >>
It was 4 a.m. we lost him, it was tragic to us all, a man of love, a man of joy, we never thought he’d fall.
He always laughed, he always smiled, he always spoke his word. To us, he taught a lesson, and the message has been heard.
Live everyday with laughter, live everyday with love, because now he’s spreading happiness, with the man from up above.
He always stayed positive, made the best of what he had. He spent his time enjoying life, and for this we should be glad.
So raise your head, dry your eyes, put a smile on your face. We can’t be sad forever, because he’s in a better place.
And he wouldn’t want us crying and he wouldn’t want more tears. He would only want his memory, to live on through the years.
We love you, we miss you, you were the definition, of a good man. And I promise, if you wait for us, we will see you once again.
RIP Chris Knepper We will never forget you. You were a blessing to us all.
Sweet Home Alabama SWEET HOME ALABAMA
"One, Two, Three. Turn it up.
Big wheels keep on turning. Carry my home to see my kin. Singing songs about the southwest. I miss my family once again. And I think it's the same. Yes.
Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her. Well, I heard ol' Neil put her down. Well, I hope Neil Young will remember. A southern man don't need him around Anyhow.
Sweet Home Alabama. Where the skies are so blue. Sweet Home Alabama. Lord I'm coming home to you.
In Burmingham they love the govner' (Ooh Ooh Ooh) And we all did what we could do. Now Watergate doesn't bother me. Does your conscience bother you? Tell the truth.
Sweet Home Alabama. Where the skies are so blue. Sweet Home Alabama. Lord I'm coming home to you. Here it comes. Alabama.
Now Muscle Sholtz has got the swamp And they've been know to pic a song or two (Yes they do) Lord they get me over so much. They pick me up when I'm feeling blue. Now how 'bout you?
Sweet Home Alabama. Where the skies are so blue. Sweet Home Alabama. Lord I'm coming home to you.
Sweet Home Alabama. (Oh Sweet Home) Where the skies are so blue. (and the Govner's true) Sweet Home Alabama. (Lord yes) Lord I'm coming home to you. (Yeah Yeah)."
He Is Gone
He Is Gone
You can shed tears that he has gone or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back or you can open your eyes and see that he's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see him or you can be full of the loved you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him and that he's gone or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what he would want; Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Tributes and Condolences
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