Thomas Christy

Thomas A. Christy, Indianapolis, passed away on April 8, 2011 at the age of 62. He was a good man with a big heart, and he will be missed. Born in 1949 in Waltham, Massachusetts, Tom was the son of Col. (Ret.) John J. and Yolande (Morin) Christy. Tom also lived in Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and New York, before settling with his parents and four siblings at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1965. He graduated from Lawrence Central High School, attended Ball State University, and studied Journalism at the Defense Information School while serving in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard; he retired in 1996 after 25 years of service. His civilian career included many years as a sales representative. In 1997, Tom suffered a serious stroke due to complications following a heart valve replacement. He was not expected to live. The stroke left him partially paralyzed, but Tom was determined to remain independent, eventually learning to walk, to use his left hand, and to drive his beloved (and many) cars. He never gave up, he never complained, and he was always good natured and upbeat. Tom was a devoted son and constant companion to his father John, especially during John’s later years, escorting him to Rotary League bowling events, to Yankee Division and University of Rhode Island reunions, to Defense Information School gatherings, to Saturday evening Mass, and to frequent lunches and dinners between just the two of them. He was active in the Republican Party, serving as a precinct chairman for many years, and was a member of the Indiana Sheriff's Association. He regularly attended Mass at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by siblings Robert, Rena, Marla, and Susan (Gary) Rockoff, nephew Daniel Rockoff and niece Melanie Rockoff, as well as many cousins and friends. Visitation will be Saturday, April 23, 2011, 5:00-8:00pm at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center-Broad Ripple. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Stroke Association.