November 1, 1992 – September 17, 2020

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Christian is the oldest of three children. Christian had a passion for sports and spent much of his time playing baseball, basketball, football and soccer. At the age of twelve, Christian was diagnosed with ADHD, processing issues and language delays. This diagnosis, however, did not deter him from excelling in sports and maintaining good grades in school. Christian’s determination to excel in life, along with the support of his family, helped him overcome adversity as it related to his diagnosis. Although Christian faced many obstacles himself in relation to his diagnosis, he always made time to help others whether it be in educational matters such as mathematics or on the baseball field.

An outstanding athlete, Christian was recruited out of Xaverian High School to play baseball at Saint Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) on a full scholarship. After two years at STAC, Christian was recruited by Northwood University in Florida to continue his baseball career. His time spent at Northwood was rewarding as Christian excelled on the baseball field until he unfortunately sustained an injury and required Tommy John surgery.

The rehab was intense and Christian decided to come back to New York for medical care and decided to finish his academic career back at Saint Thomas Aquinas College. Upon hearing of his intended return, the coaches at Saint Thomas Aquinas baseball team sought to have Christian back on the team. Christian, without hesitation, responded with a resounding yes. The position he was slated for was first base and although this was not a position he usually played, he said “I got this!” And got this he did. He ended up winning the NCAA award for his outstanding performance as a first baseman.

Christian lived by the mantra, “I don’t like to give up on people when they need someone not to give up on them.” While playing at St. Thomas Aquinas, Christian met a young man seeking to play college baseball. This young man had a tattoo on his face that hindered his chances of being recruited by a college team, due to the negative connotation associated with the tattoo. Christian looking to help, spoke to his father and together they took him to a dermatologist and through multiple appointments, had the tattoo removed, at no cost to the young man. Christian wanted this new friend to have the same opportunity he had and with Christian’s help the new friend was ultimately recruited by a college to play baseball.

After graduating from college Christian opened a process serving company which went hand in hand with his father’s law practice and other attorney’s practices for their process serving needs. He also worked at the board of elections during the presidential primary where he worked long and hard hours assisting the legal department. Notwithstanding, and although his employment was fruitful, Christian‘s real passion was to help others. Christian encouraged others to find something they love, to go for it with all their heart, no excuses, with no plan B – just go for it. Knowing the journey would be difficult he was confident it would be worth it. In his continued effort to help others, Christian became a master barber, specially aimed at providing haircuts to children with disabilities.

Baseball continued to be Christian’s passion for himself and others. Following the conclusion of his college baseball career, he played in a men’s league and coached children’s summer baseball camp. Christian would give his heart and soul to make someone happy. When Christian‘s sister asked him to help her high school softball team, he immediately stepped up to the plate. The coach at Poly Prep Country Day School brought him in to help the team. Christian volunteered his time coaching the girls softball team encouraging them to stay focused, practice, play their hearts out and just be the best they can be. The girls loved him so much that their parents asked if he would coach their children on a one-on-one basis. Christian ended up doing this every
weekend.

Since Christian‘s passing on September 17, 2020, his life has been celebrated and memorialized in many ways. Some of these include the Brooklyn Tides Organization and St. Thomas Aquinas College baseball team, both of whom retired his baseball uniform number (#9). Additionally, in honor of Christian, the scoreboard at the Mid Island Baseball Field in Staten Island bares his name.

There are many wonderful stories to tell about Christian and we hope these few will help you to understand the kind of person he was. He was truly a gift from God whose job here on earth was cut short but his legacy continues. It is no coincidence that Christian’s baseball number was number nine. The number “9” is the GUARDIAN ANGEL number, signifying that your guardian angel is watching over you and guiding you through difficult times in your life. This is and always will be Christian! Christian’s life was a blessing and his memory will forever be immortalized in each of these families that the foundation supports.