Born on April 10, 1971 in Vero Beach, Florida, Chris was the beloved son of John F. Strazzulla and Nancy Strazzulla. He graduated from St. Helen Catholic School and in 1989 from Vero Beach High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Tampa in 1994.

Chris built an accomplished career spanning more than three decades in pharmaceutical sales. Throughout his career, he was known not only for his professionalism and work ethic but also for the genuine relationships he cultivated. From Florida to Maine colleagues quickly became friends and friends became family.

Of all the blessings in Chris’ life, none meant more to him than his wife, Jenni Pinto Strazzulla. Although they both knew each other growing up in Vero Beach, the love story really began in 1999 when a chance encounter changed both of their lives forever. Jenni did not make it easy on him; after their first meeting, Chris had to enlist the help of several friends and do a little detective work to track down her phone number and convince her to go on a date with him. Fortunately, his persistence paid off. From that day forward, they were inseparable.

Their story carried them from Florida to North Carolina and to Maine where they built a beautiful life together and raised their twin sons, Christopher and Jack, now age 14. Chris was a devoted father whose greatest joy came from being with his family. Whether cheering from the sidelines, sharing a meal or simply enjoying everyday moments, he treasured the life they built together and the memories they created along the way.

Chris had a lifelong passion for tennis. He first picked up a racquet at the age of 12 and quickly developed an extraordinary talent for the game. By his senior year of high school, he was ranked number one in the state of Florida and his Vero Beach High School team was undefeated in 91 matches. If Chris had free time, there was a good chance you could find him on a tennis court. He was equally passionate about cars especially BMWs. From the time he received his first car, there was rarely a period when he didn’t have a BMW project in his garage. He delighted in tinkering with and driving classic models particularly on a sunny day with the windows down and nowhere specific to be.

Chris will be remembered most for the love he shared so freely with those around him. He had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome, valued, and cared for. He approached life with determination, loyalty, humor and a generous spirit. To know Chris was to know a true gentleman who cared deeply for anyone he encountered, whether it was family, friends, strangers or his fellow residents at Windward Gardens in Camden.

While his accomplishments were many, his greatest legacy is the family he adored and the countless lives he touched through his friendship, kindness, and unwavering devotion.

Chris is survived by his devoted wife, Jenni Pinto Strazzulla, a reading specialist at Hope Elementary School in Maine; their cherished twin sons, Christopher and Jack who are 8th graders at Lincolnville Central School; his loving father-in-law, Terry Pinto of Rockland, Maine, and his brothers-in-law Mark Foster of Portland, Maine and Greg Pinto of Rockland, Maine. Chris's mother-in-law, Elizabeth Pinto, predeceased Chris in 2024 and his ashes will be interred near Elizabeth's. 

Chris is also survived by his parents, John and Nancy Strazzulla of Vero Beach; his sister Laura Burns, her husband, Tim Burns of Boca Raton, Florida and Chris's niece Sarah Gerbracht and her husband Canyon of Atlanta, Georgia.

Chris's loving extended family includes his aunt Jane Strazzulla, the widow of his late uncle Joseph P. Strazzulla of Vero Beach, Florida; his aunt and uncle Regina and Andy Rockefeller of Boca Grande, Florida and Lexington, Massachusetts and his aunt Frances and uncle David Wilson of Glendale, California.

Chris is survived by nine first cousins, many of whom visited Chris during his final illness. Chris and his cousins Paul and Domenic Strazzulla of Vero Beach were brothers in spirit spending many joyous days working and playing at the Strazzulla family's Gulf Stream Groves in Fort Pierce and the always welcoming beachside home of their late grandparents Philip and Anne Strazzulla of Vero Beach.

Chris's first cousins include the late Philip Strazzulla and his widow Terri Strazzulla of Vero Beach: Donna and Joel Hollis of St. Augustine, Florida; Teresa Strazzulla Sewell of Okeechobee, Florida; Frank and Cheri Strazzulla of Vero Beach, Florida; Dominic and Lori Strazzulla of Vero Beach; Paul and Cindy Strazzulla of Fort Meade, Florida; Tory Rockefeller and James Hollowell of Homer, Alaska; Lisa Rockefeller and Ned Sebelius of Brookline, Massachusetts and David Filson of Glendale, California.

A memorial mass will be held Tuesday, October 13, at 10 a.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach, Florida. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 7, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Good Hope located at 7 Union Street, Camden, Maine. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Chris’s sons’ college funds. For details, please contact their uncle, Tim Burns, at timburns080@gmail.com.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com