It is with such deep sadness and sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Christian, aged 34 on October 16, 2025. Beloved son of Sue and Joe and his sister and best friend Vanessa (Craig Jewell). Greatly missed by his Aunt Dawn and cousins. Cousins Susan and Nevada held a special place in his heart.

Christian was born and raised in Etobicoke. From the age of 7, he showed a great interest in filming. When a video recorder was placed in his hands, usually his little sister was the star. Christian auditioned and attended Etobicoke School of the Arts, majoring in Drama where his love of acting, theatre and films was nurtured and realized. He loved his time at ESA, and it left an indelible mark. Such a mark that he helped in developing ESA’s very first film program, a program that his sister joined in its very first graduating year. He met and made lifelong friends that shared his love of acting in film and theatre.

Christian developed a film program at Neilson Park Creative Centre Toronto (which was founded by his great Aunt, Doris Kennedy) in Etobicoke while in high school. After graduating ESA as a Drama Major with honours, Christian graduated York University with a Bachelor of Arts (Specialized Honours) in Directing. As Christian pursued his career in directing, he filmed many commercials and music videos with well-known Canadian as well as international artists. He did this while teaching acting classes ranging from high school students to appearing as a Guest Faculty Member at George Brown and Humber College. One of Christian’s goals in filming was to create a comfortable and safe environment for the actors and everyone on set. His true passion was making thought provoking films, often saying “if people leave viewing this film thinking and feeling something, I’ve done my job".

One of Christian’s most proud accomplishments was his short film “Somnolence” being accepted into Cannes International Film Festival at the young age of 24. Opening for David Cronenberg’s new film and with stars in his eyes, he was finally being realized as the true auteur he was.

With COVID, work was slowing down and Christian decided to pursue a career in teaching. He graduated with a Bachelor of Education, Faculty of Education and was currently working on his Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film and Media Arts.

Christian always had time for anyone who needed to talk with a sympathetic ear or possibly some kind suggestions. If he could help in any way, he would. He had great advice and was wise beyond his years. In Christian’s personal life, he loved music - whether it was going to concerts with his sister, or listening to Beck on his incredibly loud sub woofer he installed in his car. Ultimately though, he ate, slept and breathed film and writing, from stories, to poems, to scripts. That was his passion. He was a director, photographer and an author. With 17 years in directing, Christian was a driven man, never stopping until he finished a project on his terms. He was creative, authentic and wanted everyone be themselves as he was. He had a wicked sense of humour as his family and friends can attest to and a fantastic laugh, the kind that comes from deep within. Christian was a light that burned so bright, and is a light that now glows.

To honor his memory and his love for film, our family is raising funds to dedicate a seat at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Chris’s name alongside a donation to the Etobicoke School of the Arts film program. This last tribute will ensure that his name lives on in places that celebrate the art and community he cherished so much. Please visit the donations tab on the top of this Memorial page.

The family thanks those who travelled to visit Christian and those that flew in. As per Christian’s wishes, he has been cremated. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any memories of the impact Christian had on others.

Family and friends are invited to Turner & Porter - Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto for a Memorial Visitation on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.