Christopher Provenzano, son of former longtime City Councilwoman Madeline Provenzano, died from a massive heart attack on the morning of Monday, June 10th.
Passing at Einstein Medical Center, where doctors spent an hour trying to revive him, he was just three weeks shy of his 51st birthday.
His death came unexpectedly, though echoed another tragic memory for the elder Provenzano—the death of her husband Vincent, who died in a similar way 46 years ago. “We always used to say Chris looks at the glass half-full, everybody else looks at it half-empty,” said Provenzano, who was an honoree at the Chippewa Democratic Club awards dinner Thursday, June 6, with her son in the audience.
Growing up in the Bronx, Christopher attended St. Raymond Elementary School, followed by Cardinal Spellman High School and then Iona College to earn a business degree. He went a step further, earning a law degree at Pace University.
He built a career as a contract compliance officer for Lincoln Hospital and Mental Medical Center.
By all accounts, Christopher was a family man, sharing a tight family bond while living next door to his mother.
Ms. Provenzano recalls the countless family dinners at Captain’s Restaurant, days of supporting his mother while in office and barbecues at his house where he was in the middle of renovating his kitchen.
A diehard sports buff, Christopher was a regular at professional sports games, even going to California to see his beloved LA Dodgers play.
“He’d go to California so he can go to Dodger games,” said Provenzano.
His passion often inspired friendly spats over which team was better –his LA Dodgers or her Boston Red Sox.
When Provenzano held office prior to Councilman Jimmy Vacca, Christopher was a major presence at her events, taking a more hands-on role than her two children, she said.
Living a life he enjoyed, Christopher never feared the end, often telling his family, “If I die tomorrow, I would have done everything I wanted to do, I have no regrets.”
He was waked at Schuyler Hill Funeral Home in Throggs Neck on Wednesday and Thursday, June 12-13, with a funeral service on Friday, June14 at St. Benedict’s Church. He was buried alongside his father at St. Raymond’s Cemetery.
Christopher is also survived by his two children Vincent and Giana, his brother Anthony, sister Maria, and stepdad Daniel Simmons.
David Cruz can be reach via e-mail at DCruz@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383
