Jon Rolf Christiansen

Jon-Rolf Christiansen, 72 passed away unexpectedly on September 12, 2025, in Hampton Virginia, leaving to share his stories, his wife of 51 years Pamela Fuller Christiansen. He loved his friends and family including Brother-in-Law, Jack Fuller (Frances), his dear nieces, Hollie Fuller (Dell), Heather Miller (Jeff), great nephew Brandon Harvell and his great-niece Emory Racz. Brothers Brian Christiansen (Connie) and Scott Christiansen, Nephews Brian and Adam Christiansen, Sister Kim Parrish (Randy), Nephews Justin, Brandon (Emily) and Alex, great-nephews Brooks and Brady. His adopted daughter Donna Jones (Mike) and granddaughter Laurel Maddie.

He spent his early years in Oslo Norway where he learned both Norwegian and English. Jon learned to ski with his father and speed skate with his grandfather as his coaches. Jon competitively speed skated at the school at Oslo in which his grandfather worked. At the age of 10 his family moved to Rockport, MA where he lobstered before school and did so until his high school graduation in 1971. Jon served his country by enlisting in the United States Air Force.

Jon’s 6 years in the Air Force were spent at the boathouse at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, where he operated a boat in Air Sea Rescue. He earned a special designation as a Norwegian interpreter.

After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, his spirit of adventure and love of the sea lead him to pursue a maritime career ultimately obtaining his captain license.

Among his many adventures was purchasing a fishing boat naming it the Capt. Jack after his father-in-law. In 1980, Jon was selected by Admiral John J. Shanahan (former Nato Commander) for his Norwegian heritage, ship handling skills and navigation abilities for the arduous crossing of the North Atlantic in January to deliver a Norwegian Tug to the Dominican Republic.

In 1981 Jon was both Captain and Diver on a team that located Christopher Columbus’ Pinta in the Turks and Caicos where he was reunited with the same Norwegian Tug that he had delivered from Norway.

Always the entrepreneur Jon and Pam operated Dinner Cruise Boats in Newport News Va, Miami, Islamorada in the Florida Keys and Key West.

In 1985 Jon was asked by the Jamestown -Yorktown Foundation to assemble a crew to sail S/V Godspeed for the final leg of the 6000 mile journey that originated in England, sailing from Puerto Rico to her home in Jamestown VA. In 1986 S/V Godspeed, with Jon as Master, had the privilege of leading the Parade of Sail for the Statue of Liberty Celebration in New York Harbor.

Jon and Pam owned a tugboat company that operated on the east coast, where he designed and built a small shallow draft Tug named John P. Fuller, another tribute to his Father-in-Law. Although hailing a different name, Tug John P. Fuller can be seen today working on the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion.

He retired from his maritime career in the Yachting industry with Hollie by his side.

He loved his pets. He and Pam fostered more than 50 dogs from various rescues. Jon, Hollie and Emory transported fosters to their new homes and pulled dogs from shelters to transport to rescues.

Everyone that knew Jon knew he loved the freedom of the sea. A sunrise and sunset without land in sight. He lived his life in search of a new adventure. Jon had the heart of a Viking and an Old Salt Soul.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor his memory, please consider donating to Animal Aid Society in Hampton VA. AAS is a local shelter near and dear to his heart.