'Chris' Christensen Memorial Saturday

A remembrance and celebration of the life of longtime Manhattan Beach resident Julian "Chris" Christensen, 93, will take place Saturday at the Joslyn Center at 11 a.m. The public is invited.

Christensen lived in Manhattan Beach for 57 years until his death at his home on July 29, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of Manhattan Beach, their son Tim of Bristow, VA, daughter Judy Cook of Highland, CA, and sister Annabelle Powers of Tukwila, WA. His son Michael Eddy died three years ago, according to Marjorie.

“'Chris' was a beautiful human being with a great sense of humor," said Stephanie Martin, Manhattan Beach police officer. "He was one of the very first Neighborhood Watch volunteers that I met when I started at MBPD. If I’m not mistaken, Chris was the first 'Santa' I met as well! I also had the honor of serving alongside Chris in the Manhattan Beach Lions Club for 10 years."

A theme running through Chrstiensen's life was his desire to help others. He worked until retirement as the executive secretary of Theatre West Authority, an organization that works with entertainment unions to engage celebrities for telethons and fundraising appearances.

He was active for more than 25 years with Manhattan Beach's Neighborhood Watch program as Area 3 coordinator and served as Santa Claus on the MB Chamber of Commerce Christmas float.

Said Martin, "Chris was passionate about his service to community and providing help to those who suffered from vision impairment – the mission of Lions International."

Marjorie, too, recalled how proud he was to having been "instrumental in getting a girl a corneal transplant." 

Christensen has a lifetime membership in the MB Lions Club and Redondo Beach Elks. Some of the many clubs and organizations he was involved with include the MB Property Owners, MB Sister Cities committee, The Vikings Charities of LA, and Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.

In 1996, he was awarded the MB Chamber's Rose and Scroll Award. He also earned the distinction of being named a Lions International Melvin Jones Fellow.

Marjorie and Chris met on a blind date when she and her girlfriend had plans to go out to dinner and see a show. Marjorie's girlfriend's boyfriend called to ask what she was doing, and when he found out, asked if he and a friend could join the duo.

"Chris spoke lovingly and fondly of his wife, Marge," said Martin. "I remember he was showing me his newly built home and was happy to share one of his surprises for her, a floor heating system underneath the bathroom tiles, so her feet would be warm when she stepped from the bath! How incredible! An amazing soul."

"He was always willing to pitch in wherever he was needed," said Marjorie, who got to be Mrs. Claus to his Santa.

The couple built their first MB home in 1951, then built a house next door and moved into it. Then they tore down the first house and built a new house, where Marjorie still lives. "It's the same view, same trees," she told Manhattan Beach Patch.

Their son Tim married his high school sweetheart from Aviation High School [now the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center among other things] and have three children. The oldest is a school teacher, the middle child an archaeologist who almost holds a master's, the youngest in college on the East Coast. In total, Christensen has six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Until the past two years, he was "a stationery fixture on the corner of 15th and Valley for the [Grand Prix] bike race," said Marjorie. 

Tim will speak at his father's memorial service as will Zachary Schoening, a chaplain. Tim will invite members of the public to speak as the family celebrates his dad's life.

There will be a luncheon after the remembrance. Joslyn Center is at 1601 N. Valley Drive. Free parking may be hard to find due to the Manhattan Beach Open so plan to leave plenty of time to drop off guests and find a place to park.