Chris D. Gherardi

Christopher Dean “Chris” Gherardi, age 57, passed away unexpectedly on Friday morning, September 12, 2025 at his home. Born in Smithtown, Long Island, New York; he was the son of Linda Gherardi Crigler and the late Ennio M. Gherardi.

When Chris was very young, he and his family moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, where he started school. When Chris was in second grade, the family moved to Italy, where his father passed on his love of Ferraris and racing to Chris. From Italy, the family moved to West Babylon, New York, where Chris attended and graduated from West Babylon Senior High School. After graduation, he volunteered with the West Babylon Fire Department Station 2. Chris received his initial EMT training there and then continued his paramedic training at Kingsborough Community College.

Chris attended boot camp in the Navy Reserves between his junior and senior years in high school and then trained as a Storekeeper (SK) after graduation. Chris received an award during his reserve duty for saving the life of a fellow sailor during PT training.

Chris worked for the Flushing Hospital Medical Center EMS Department as a Paramedic. He was officially off-duty when the 9/11 attacks began but reported immediately to the hospital to assist with recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

Chris served as a Paramedic for 37 years, which included: “Boots on the Ground” first responder during the 9/11 terror attacks, 22 years as a Nationally Registered Paramedic, 20 years as a Wake County Paramedic, an original member for the Advanced Practice Paramedic Program, a member of North Carolina’s 1st Urban Search and Rescue Medical Team, and the driving force behind the startup of the Peer Support Team, which provides aid and support for fellow first responders in need.

Chris is lovingly remembered by the love of his life: Amy Flinchum Russell and children: Tyler (Julia) and Abbie; mother: Linda Gherardi Crigler (John); siblings: Larry Gherardi (Tracy), Jennifer Gherardi Howard, Trevor Gherardi (Zain); nieces and nephews: Brittany, Arianna, Linda, Alexander, Amber, Brandon, Connor, Graycen, Samantha (Nate), Ryan; Amy’s grandfather: Glenn Alexander Flinchum; Amy’s parents: Donald Flinchum (Mary); Amy’s sister: Elizabeth Flinchum Werley; and by other extended family and friends, including those within his First Responders Community.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 11:00 am at Hope Community Church - Raleigh Campus (821 Buck Jones Road - Raleigh, NC 27606). Family will receive friends following the service at church. (A Live Stream Link will be active closer to the time of service through https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellFuneralHomeatRMP)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred in memory of Chris to an organization he supported throughout his career: Healing Transitions - https://healing-transitions.org

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