Chris Corna
Christian Corna passed into the hands of God on May 18, 2009, in Port Chester, N.Y., while visiting his fiancee, Lisette Coen, of Greenwich, Conn.
Chris was the beloved son of Barbara J. Corna, of Los Angeles, and Richard R. Corna and stepmother Nadine (Biagi) Corna, of Dublin, Ohio. Chris was a graduate of Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio, and of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla.
He has called Steamboat Springs his home for the past 17 years.
Chris was the owner of Slopeside Grill in Steamboat Springs. Chris was an avid scuba diver, underwater photographer, skier and golfer, and he loved to travel. Chris was the former president of the Mountain Business Association, a restaurant representative on the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association's board of directors, a member of the Base Area Reinvestment Coalition and president of the Torian Plum Condominium Owners Association.
We did not hear you leave : and now we are left wondering how we are still here. Our dearest Chris, you have bestowed upon us so many gifts. You have left your imprint on the beings you have touched both on land and at sea. You were a most loving son and compassionate, loyal friend. Our world is a much better place because of your loyalty to this precious life, the way you have worked hard and truly lived. You have inspired us and assisted us in being a better version of ourselves. You have been there to lend a hand, a hug or a kind word. Steamboat Springs has lost its sovereign son and will not be the same for it. We make our promise - our solemn vow - to move forward and lovingly hold you in our hearts. We will be the person you have moved us to be, we will be kind to all creatures and live each day with the fullness of its entitlement.
We lovingly send you into God's arms with the gentle kiss of a mother, warm hug of a father and the genuine gratitude of a good friend. Our dearest Chris, be joyous, be free, be peaceful, be the man we have been blessed to know. Take forward to heaven your bounty and have faith that your legacy will live on. Collectively, all whom you have met across the world will rejoice you, we will honor you, we will love you always.
A memorial service is at 5 p.m. today at Slopeside Grill in Torian Plum Square, at the base of Steamboat Ski Area.
A second memorial service is being planned for Columbus, Ohio. Details will be announced.
"All of the animals except for man know the principal business of life is to enjoy it."
- Samuel Butler
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in Corna's name to Routt County Humane Society at 879-7247 or Doak Walker Care Center in care of the Healthcare Foundation for the Yampa Valley, 871-0700.
