PORTLAND – Christian Chenard died Sunday, May 20, 2007, of pancreatic cancer. He was born Nov. 10, 1950, in Rumford, of Ernest and Dorothy Chenard. Chris graduated from Stevens High School, Rumford, in 1969; went on to earn a teaching degree at University of Maine – Farmington in 1973; and then his master’s degree in education at University of Maine in Orono in 1978. After a few years of teaching, he found himself looking for adventure, joined the Peace Corps and taught in Liberia, Africa. Here is where he made his decision to go into nursing. Upon his return, he earned his degree in nursing at ETSU in 1985, continued on to get his master’s degree in nursing and became a nurse practitioner at Simmons College. Chris spent 15 years working for the city of Portland. He began at Health Care for the Homeless and then Positive Health Care. This was one of his passions in life. Knowing he could do more for this population, he returned to studies and recently earned a Ph.D. in nursing and health sciences. Chris touched many lives and left his mark on this world in many ways. He was very active in HIV/AIDS work and taught in the nursing program at University of Southern Maine. He was articulate, humorous and very witty. He was compassionate, honest and humble. There was always a lingering feeling of joy after spending time with Chris. That feeling of joy remains in many hearts, although he will be sadly missed by family, friends, colleagues and patients alike. Chris is survived by his mother, Dorothy of Rumford; brothers, Bill of Salem and Greg of Rumford; sisters, Cathy Brig-gette of Rumford, Carol Tremblay of Cape Elizabeth and Jac-ky Arsenault of New Portland. He is also survived by his part-ner, Eliott Cherry of Portland. He was predeceased by his father, Chendy; and sister, Liz. Contribution may be made in Chris’ memory to Positive Health Care Public Health Division, City of Portland, 389 Con-gress St., Portland ME 04101.
CHRISTIAN T. CHENARD, PH.D., NP
