Christopher Ryan General

Chris was the beloved husband of Nanette General (nee LaFlamme) and the devoted father of Nole, Maddy, and Ryan, who were the greatest joys of his life.

He was the cherished eldest son of Cathy General (nee Martin) and the late Charles "Butch" General. Chris was a loving brother to Daniel General, a treasured brother-in-law to Julie General and a proud uncle to James and Lily General.

He was the beloved son-in-law of Helen LaFlamme (nee Soucy) and the late Gerald LaFlamme Sr. Chris was a dear brother-in-law to Suzette Jackson, Gerald LaFlamme Jr., Lisa Anderson and Nicole LaFlamme, and a proud uncle to Ava, Mya, Kara, Raiden, Daxon, Arya, Kiera, Sienna and Jaxson.

Chris was predeceased by his grandparents, Wilma “Buck” Martin and Raymond “Lummy” Martin, and Charles “Bud” and Blanche General.

He was dearly loved by his aunt Shelly Lohouse and was predeceased by his uncle Dave Lohouse. He shared a special bond with Uncle Donnie and Aunt Dawn General and was predeceased by his uncles’ Jimmy General, Walter "Sput" General, and Paul Martin.

Chris was a loving cousin to Ashley, Steve and Audrey Szortyka; Garrett and Alicia General; Cooper General; Lucy General; and Gabrielle General.

He will be deeply missed by his lifelong friends Jay, Dave and the late Michael “Smitty” Smith, whose friendships meant so much to him throughout his life.

Chris was a highly respected Director of Information Technology at Community Health Center of Buffalo, where he excelled in his profession and was known for his talent, innovation and willingness to help others. Technology was not only his career but also one of his passions. Whether assisting colleagues or serving as the family's personal IT expert, Chris was always the first person everyone called when they needed help, and he never hesitated to lend a hand.

A lifelong advocate for the sport he loved, Chris dedicated many years to lacrosse. He proudly served as President of the Fort Erie Minor Lacrosse Association (FEMLA) and was also a coach and player for FEMLA and the former Fort Erie Senior "B" lacrosse team. His leadership, dedication and love for the game left a lasting mark on athletes, families and the lacrosse community.

Chris was also a passionate supporter of the Buffalo Bills. Watching the Bills wasn't just a hobby; it was a cherished weekly family tradition that brought everyone together, creating countless memories filled with excitement, laughter and spirited game-day discussions.

Chris had a deep love for music and enjoyed every genre, from classic rock to disco, hip-hop, and everything in between. Music was a constant source of joy in his life and brought people together wherever he went. Chris was often the life of the party, filling every room with laughter, energy and his unforgettable sense of humor. Whether he was singing along to his favorite songs, dancing with family and friends, or simply enjoying the moment, his enthusiasm was contagious.

Above all else, Chris's greatest joy in life was his family. He treasured every moment spent with them, creating memories that would last a lifetime through annual vacations, special celebrations, and everyday adventures. Selfless, caring, and endlessly devoted, Chris had a remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel valued, supported, and loved. His warm heart, quick wit, and infectious sense of humor brought comfort, laughter and light wherever he went.

Chris considered the title of "Best Dad Ever" his greatest accomplishment. A hands-on father from the very beginning, he poured his heart into making life special for his children. Whether planning unforgettable birthday parties, taking on the wildest roller coasters, creating magical Easter and Christmas traditions, cheering from the sidelines at sporting events, or spending hours gaming together, Chris embraced every opportunity to be present. To his children, he was far more than a father; he was their biggest supporter, favorite teammate, hero, and beloved "cool dad."

Chris's love extended far beyond his immediate family. He adored his nieces and nephews and embraced them as if they were his own, ensuring that everyone around him felt welcomed, included and cherished. His compassion, generosity and genuine interest in others gave him a remarkable ability to connect with people and make them feel special. Whether through his kindness, encouragement, laughter, or simply being present when someone was in need, Chris left a lasting impression on everyone he met. The countless memories he created, the lives he touched and the unconditional love he shared so freely will remain one of his most enduring legacies. Though he will be deeply missed, his spirit will live on in the hearts of his family, friends and all those fortunate enough to have known him.

Chris's family takes comfort in knowing that his legacy of kindness, dedication, and love will never be forgotten. He will always be remembered as a devoted family man, loyal friend, community leader, passionate sports fan, son, brother, uncle, nephew, loving husband and most importantly, the Best Dad Ever. Luv u baby 24/7.

Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to Visitation at Benner Funeral Services, 1105 Benner Avenue in Fort Erie on Friday August 21st, from 7 to 9 pm, and Saturday August 22nd from 3 to 6 pm. A Celebration of Chris’ life/ Buffalo Bills tailgate party will follow on Saturday at the Fort Erie Legion Branch 71, 130 Garrison Road. Guests are encouraged to wear your Buffalo Bills gear in honour of Chris. Go Bills! In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made via e-transfer to Fort Erie Minor Lacrosse at [email protected] or the Miles to Go Cancer Support Group at Six Nations at [email protected], and would be appreciated by his family.

With God’s Name, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

In Memory of Christopher “Chris” General

Dr. LaVonne Ansari

Before I continue, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible staff and Chris’s many friends who not only worked alongside him but also came together to make today’s celebration possible. If I don’t mention your name individually, please know that your love support, and hared work have not gone unnoticed. A special thank you to Pasha, Akilah, Lisa Parker, Brian and King who went above and beyond to help bring this program together. Your dedication is a reflection of the deep respect and affection so many have for Chris.

I also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Chris’s family – Nanette, Nole, Maddy and Ryan. Thank you for allowing the Community Health Center of Buffalo (CHCB) family to join you in celebrating Chris and for giving us the opportunity to share our memories and stories. We are honored to stand with you today as we remember someone who meant so much to all of us.

Chris joined CHCB in January 2015 as a Systems Administrator and became our Information Technology Director in 2017. During his time with us, he helped transform our technology infrastructure as we grew from one location to six sites. His responsibilities extended far beyond computers and networks. Chris ensured that more than 150,000 square feet of facilities were connected, secure and operating efficiently so that our providers and staff could focus on what matters most – caring for our patients. Technology is often invisible when everything is working well, but in healthcare, it is essential to delivering safe, timely and high-quality patient care. Every appointment scheduled, every medical record accessed, every prescription transmitted, every laboratory results reviewed and every connection between our sites depended on systems that Chris worked tirelessly to build, maintain and improve. His work touched every employee, every patient and every family we serve.

Chris was indispensable to the success of this organization. He never sought recognition for his work, but the strength and reliability of our health center are, in many ways, a testament to his dedication, expertise and commitment.

Even today, Chris continues to greet us. His voice is still the one that welcomes callers to CHCB. I’ve heard that former staff have called the health center simply to hear his voices one more time. That speaks volumes about the kind of person he was. It wasn’t just the technology he built that people remember – it was the kindness, patience, warmth and humanity he brought to every interaction.

One of my favorite memories of Chris was seeing him at our monthly in-service meetings. He always sat in the front – not because he wanted the spotlight, but because he wanted to make sure the technology was working seamlessly across all of our locations so everyone could participate without interruption.

Chris also became my unofficial “silencer.” Whenever the conversation in the room got a little too lively, all I had to do was look over at Chris, and he knew exactly what I was thinking. Without a word, he’d smile, hit the mute button, and restore order. It became our unspoken routine and it’s one of those moments that always makes me smile when I think of him.

And then there was football season. Chris looked forward to organizing the Bills pool every year. He would faithfully carry that sign-up sheet throughout the health center, making sure everyone had the chance to participate. It wasn’t just about the game – it was about bringing people together, creating a little friendly competition, and giving us another reason to laugh and connect. Those small traditions, led by Chris, helped build the sense of family that defines Community Health Center.

Dear God, let Chris know that he leaves behind far more than an IT system. He leaves behind a stronger organization, lasting friendships, countless memories, and an example of quiet leadership that will continue to inspire all of us. We will miss him deeply, but we will never forget the extraordinary difference he made in the lives of our staff, our patients and our community.

Chris Celebration of Life – Thank you to Chris from Nan.

Good evening everyone.

Thank you all for being here today to celebrate Chris's life. I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to this effort. If I miss someone, my apologies, but please accept my thanks and appreciation for all you've done.

I want to begin by thanking every one of you for your condolences, your prayers, your support, and the countless acts of kindness you have shown to our family. To our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, teammates, and community members, thank you for carrying us through the most difficult time of our lives.

Thank you to those who provided meals, gift cards, donations, phone calls, hugs, and simply showed up when we needed you most.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. A and everyone at CHCB. The tribute you created for Chris meant so much to our family because it honored not only the incredible employee he was, but the friend he was to so many. Thank you to Pasha, Chris's "work wife," and Lisa for decorating this hall, to Matty Matheson and his staff at Rizzo’s for the wonderful catering, Phill for DJ’ing and to Pat Sweeney for creating a custom urn.

To everyone at OLA, FEMLA, and the lacrosse community, thank you. Your support, kind words, and the many tributes to Chris have brought comfort to our family. The minute of silence held in his honor at Provincials was a beautiful reminder of the impact he had on so many lives. We are also deeply touched that FEMLA is establishing a scholarship in Chris's memory, ensuring that his passion for the game, dedication to young athletes, and commitment to the lacrosse community will continue to inspire future generations.

Chris dedicated countless hours to the sport he loved. He volunteered as a coach, board member, president, website designer, problem solver, and whatever else needed to be done. If there was a job that needed doing, Chris did it. He left his mark on every organization he touched because he genuinely cared about making things better for everyone around him.

And to our children, Nole, Maddy, and Ryan, thank you for sharing your dad with all those players, coaches, and families over the years. I know there were times it took him away from home, but what he gave to the lacrosse community was simply an extension of who he was... a man who always gave more of himself than anyone ever asked.

Chris loved three things almost as much as he loved us: lacrosse, the Buffalo Bills, and food. In fact, if the Bills were on, there was good food on the table, and family around him, Chris was pretty much in his happy place. Some of my favorite memories are of our family gathered on Sundays, watching the Bills, laughing, debating plays, celebrating touchdowns, and sometimes questioning every coaching decision. Those Sundays weren't really about football. They were about family, and Chris loved every minute of it. Which is why we are celebrating Chris with a Bills tailgating party.

There was one more thing Chris absolutely loved, and that was music.

In fact, music is how our story really began. It's one of the first things we talked about when we were kids in school, and from that moment on, music became part of our life together.

Music wasn't just something Chris listened to. It was part of who he was, and it's part of who our family is. It brought us together, whether we were dancing in the kitchen, karaoke, attending concerts, or simply spending time together at home.

If Chris had a bucket list, seeing Oasis would have been right at the top. We loved the band so much that we named our son Nole after Noel Gallagher. Almost a year ago, one of Chris's lifelong dreams came true thanks to his brother Dan. For Christmas, Dan gave us Oasis tickets for Chris, Dan, Jewlz, and me. It was an unforgettable experience, and I will always be grateful to Dan for helping make that dream come true.

Music was always a family affair. There were the Doobie Brothers concerts with Chris, Dan, Uncle Donnie, and Butch. There were all the concerts Chris took Cathy to so she could cross artists off her bucket list. There was always another song to share, another show to attend, and another memory to make.

Chris was also incredibly proud of Dan. Dan often says that Chris helped start his career as an artist by buying him his very first turntable. Chris never stopped supporting him. He was there for competitions, performances, and shows, always cheering him on and celebrating his success.

And if there was a party, Chris was almost always the DJ. He could move effortlessly from classic rock to disco, R&B to country, and somehow find the perfect song for every moment. His love of music brought people together the same way Chris always did, with laughter, energy, and a smile.

Looking around this room today, I realize that music was just another example of who Chris was. He had a gift for bringing people together, creating memories, and making life a little more fun for everyone around him.

To my Baby…where do I begin?

You stole my heart when I was 13 years old.

Yep, grade school.

From the very beginning, being together just felt natural. We could talk about anything and everything.

People have told me that there was no Chris without Nan, and no Nan without Chris. We were always together.

What's funny is that in high school people constantly asked if we were dating. The answer was always "no just friends” until one day it wasn't. The truth is, Chris never officially asked me out. We just knew.

We were together for ten years before we got married. I would tell him, "Your ass is mine, but I need you to marry me because I want your last name. I want everyone to know I'm yours."

And from that day forward, I was proud to be Nanette General.

Chris was my greatest supporter. He stood beside me through my education, my accounting designation, my career, and every challenge life brought us. He believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.

But Chris wasn't just an amazing husband.

He was the most incredible father.

The title Chris was proudest of in life wasn't Director of Information Technology, President of FEMLA, coach, athlete, or community leader.

It was "Dad."

From day one, he was all in.

I never had to ask him to change a diaper, burp a baby, help with bathing, read a bedtime story, or spend time with the kids.

After dinner, that was dad time.

Whether it was wrestling in the living room, reading stories, bath time, video gaming, sports, or simply making them laugh, he was always present.

Chris had a creative side that amazed me.

He designed birthday cakes.

He transformed our house into an Angry Birds birthday party.

He carved Thomas the Tank Engine pumpkins for Halloween while running projectors with ghost scenes and fog machines for trick-or-treaters.

He organized Easter egg hunts with special golden eggs.

He created magical Christmas traditions.

He turned ordinary moments into unforgettable memories.

There were theme parks, video games, sports events, movie nights, and of course... Florida.

We went to Florida almost every year.

In fact, Ryan thought every family went to Florida annually because that's what Dad made happen.

And every trip was special.

Chris always found something new for us to experience. A unique restaurant. A hidden attraction. Some crazy adventure.

Even something as simple as bowling became memorable when Chris would yell "Strike!" so loudly that all the alley heard him.

Chris loved technology, and our kids benefited greatly from that passion. Let's just say that when it came to electronics, our children were very spoiled.

Chris could take a simple device and somehow turn it into something extraordinary.

That was Chris.

He made everything better.

Not because it was his job but because caring was who he was.

There is something else that defined Chris, and that was family.

When Chris talked about family, he didn't mean just the five of us.

He meant everyone.

He meant his mom and dad, Dan, Jewlz, James, Lily, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and the friends who became family over the years.

Family was at the center of everything Chris did.

Every vacation, every holiday, every birthday party, every Sunday Bills game, every concert, every barbecue, every Christmas tradition, every celebration was about bringing people together.

That was Chris's happy place.

It was never about the destination, the presents, the food, the game, or the event. It was about who was sitting around the table, who was in the room laughing, and who was making memories together.

Chris understood something that many people spend a lifetime trying to learn: that the greatest gift we have is each other.

Some of my favorite memories are not the big moments but the ordinary ones. A house full of family during the holidays. Everyone gathered around the television cheering on the Bills. Family vacations where there was as much laughter as there was planning. Music playing, people dancing, kids running around, stories being told, and Chris right in the middle of it all with that smile on his face.

When I say family meant everything to Chris, I truly mean everything.

Family was his foundation, his purpose, and his greatest source of pride.

I'd like to take a moment to thank Cathy and Dan.

Thank you for letting me steal your son and brother all these years.

I was blessed to spend almost 35 years by Chris's side.

I want you to know that every second, every minute, every hour of every day, I loved him with all my heart.

I tried to give him the same kindness, respect, selflessness, and love that he gave me.

To the family members who have passed before him, especially his Dad- Butch; Grandparents - Bud, Blanche, Lummy, and Buck; and Uncles Jimmy and Dave, thank you for the love, guidance, and influence you had on Chris's life. To his living family members, Aunt Shelly, Aunt Dawn, Uncle Donnie and cousins, thank you for your continued love, support, and presence. And to all of those who helped shape Chris into the man he became, thank you.

Thank you for creating such an extraordinary son, brother, husband, father, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.

Chris had an incredible gift.

He could see the good in everyone.

He collected the best qualities from the people he loved and somehow combined them into the person he became.

Because of all of you, I got to experience how special he was every day.

And because of all of you, Nole, Maddy, and Ryan got the Best Dad Ever.

I told Chris that this would be the hardest challenge I have to face.

But I made a promise to him.

I promised that I would be there every day for our children.

I promised I would help them through this.

I know I can never replace you. There is only one Chris. But I promise I will do my very best to raise our children the way we dreamed of together. There will be mistakes along the way. There will be days that are harder than others. But I will never give up, and I will always be there for them, just as you always were.

I promised him that despite this loss, they would continue to shine and grow into the incredible young adults he always knew they would become, and I hope that from above he can see them now and feel proud of the people they are becoming.

And the amazing thing is, I still see Chris every day.

I see him in Nole's strength.

I see him in Maddy's heart.

I see him in Ryan's smile.

I see his sense of humor, his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and his love living on through each of them.

That gives me comfort.

And I know I will succeed because I won't be doing this alone. We are surrounded by an incredible family and amazing friends who have already carried us through our darkest days. Their love and support will help guide us on this journey.

To my baby. My everything.

Thank you.

Thank you for loving me, for all of my good qualities and all of my bad ones.

Thank you for supporting me throughout my education and career.

Thank you for giving me our three beautiful gems: Nole, Maddy, and Ryan.

Thank you for making motherhood easier because you were always there beside me.

Thank you for always making sure the kids had everything they needed.

Thank you for planning the vacations, riding the crazy theme park rides with the kids, organizing the birthdays, managing the sports schedules, and somehow never missing a practice or game.

Thank you for listening to me talk.

For being honest with me.

For telling me what I needed to hear.

For making me laugh.

For making me smile.

For being my husband.

For being the father of our children.

Baby, it feels like you have simply started a new journey before me. You took the short route, and I'm taking the long road.

But I know this isn't goodbye.

I know that one day, at the end of that road, we'll find each other again.

I picture you standing there waiting for me with your arms open, that big smile on your face, ready to welcome me home.

And I can't wait to hear you say once more,

“Luv ya, babe."

Until then, I will carry you with me in every memory, every song, every Buffalo Bills game, every family gathering, and every milestone our children reach.

And I will never stop loving you.

Not for a day. Not for a minute. Not for a second.

You will always be my first love, my best friend, my soulmate, and my everything.

And as we always said to each other...Luv ya 24/7.