Chris Major, Former Holmdel High Student and Monmouth Hockey Player Dies at 36

Anthony “Chris” Major 36, of Belle Mead, formerly of Holmdel passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 21, 2013 after a 3 1/2 year battle with mucosal melanoma. Chris was born July 25, 1976 in Edison, New Jersey.

He attended Holmdel High School and Monmouth University, where he enjoyed playing on the University ice hockey team. Throughout his high school and college career he played on several other ice hockey teams, including the American Eagles and the Bridgewater Rockets. He later went on to teach children’s ice hockey where he always demonstrated a high level of patience, skill and sportsmanship. 

Chris grew up enjoying the summers in Surf City on LBI where he loved boating and fishing. One of his last trips was through the Sloan Kettering Dream Team to go tarpon fishing in the Keys. He also loved being outdoors especially playing golf, another sport that he enjoyed. As an avid sports fan, he loved the New York Rangers and Yankees. He even had an opportunity this past summer to go to Yankees Stadium to bat with the team. 

As much as he loved sports and the outdoors he loved his family more. But, the real "love of his life" was his daughter, Kendra. They made more memories in the last 3 1/2 years than most make in a lifetime. Besides his daughter, Chris is survived by his father, Anthony G. Major from Trenton, his mother, Suzanne (Malik) Major and her partner, James Gordon, Romansville, PA, his brother, Michael Major, his paternal grandmother, Olga Major and several other family members. Chris also had many good friends, especially his friends from Tampa, Florida where he lived for several years. Chris learned during this battle that you should be grateful for everything in your life because you never know what can happen. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, March 2, 2013 beginning at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ from  a.m. to 10:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catharine's R.C. Church, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel, NJ at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of sending flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in his honor to the Melanoma International Foundation,www.melanomainternational.org or the Melanoma Research Foundation, www.melanoma.org.

For directions or to send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.holmdelfuneralhome.com