Chris Quijada departed on Eternal Patrol this past Sunday 6 July 2003

USSVI - SPECIAL SEND
DATE - Wednesday 9 July 2003
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Blind CC to the entire POC LIST

Sid Harrison - USSVI Webmaster
http://www.ussvi.org/

S/S Item
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PASSING OF CHRIS QUIJADA & FINAL ARRANGEMENTS
Submitted by:
John Carcioppolo GUMBA700@aol.com
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Shipmates,

Former Groton Base Commander Chris Quijada departed on Eternal Patrol this past Sunday 6 July 2003 at 1:30. He had had a long battle with cancer and passed away in his sleep at home with his brother at his side.

Chris had been battling cancer for well over a year. From start to finish in his battle for his life, Chris always remained positive, and fought tough. Not willing to give in, he gave it all he had and then some. This was the same way that he served in the Navy, and the same way that he served SUBVETS Groton Base, always giving it 150%.. His strong determination to live carried him long past the point the medical experts thought he would live till.

While in the Navy Chris initially qualified onboard USS CUSK (SS-348). He later served aboard USS GUARDFISH (SSN-612), and two tours onboard USS CAVALA (SSN-684) one as RM LCPO, and the other as COB. His shore tours included COMSUBGRU EIGHT Naples Italy, COMSUBPAC Staff, SUBASE Groton BCT, and the staff of COMSUBDEVRON Twelve where he retired as an RMCM(SS) with 26 years in 1991.

Chris served for seven years from 1991 - 1998 as the Base Commander for SUBVETS Groton Base. Chris also served as the Permittee and Club Manager at the Groton Base Clubhouse from 1994 having relieved Joe Negri until this past February when he could no longer work because of his sickness. Then even though he was confined to his house, he still continued to serve as the Bar Manager while at home until 1 week before his death. Chris also served for several years on USSVI's Long Range Planning Committee.

Members of other bases passing through Groton who stopped at the club house usually met Chris, and he would make them welcome as if they were a member of Groton Base.

For all interested attendees, there will be a memorial service for Shipmate Chris Quijada this Thursday 10 July at 6:30 pm at the Dominic Joe Negri Clubhouse, 40 School Street, Groton, CT.

Donations in memory of Chris should be written to U.S. SUBVETS, and mailed to:

U.S. SUBVETS
Attn: Base Commander
40 School Street
Groton, CT 06340

Cards of condolences may be sent to his brother Rick at:

Richard H. Quijada
6443 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk VA 23518-5312

John Carcioppolo
SUBVETS Groton Base First and Finest
Base Commander

..........END SpecialSend 9 July 03...............