Christopher Bailey

Christopher Bailey, our beloved “Captain Awesome”, passed away on October 8, 2024, in Houston, TX, surrounded by family, love, and prayer. Though he spent the last months of his life fighting a relentless disease, his light and spirit was undimmed and shone through every day of his life. Chris was a devoted son to Madeleine and Robert (late), brother to Eric, husband to Elisabeth, and father to Brendan, Joseph, and Sean. He leaves a legacy of boundless love, compassion, and faith with all who were blessed to know him. Born in Royal Oak, Chris spent most of his life in Michigan with brief periods in Florida and Illinois. Chris was dedicated to pursuing his goals from an early age, and once he set his mind to something he committed. He decided at the age of 5, for example, that he wanted to be a chemist after his first experience with an at-home chemistry kit. He worked towards that goal throughout his entire childhood and graduated with honors from Eastern Michigan University with a double major in Polymers & Coatings and Inorganic Chemistry. Aside from a short stint as a project manager, Chris spent his professional career exploring the possibilities that chemistry could have on our everyday lives. In his last role, with Eagle Ottawa, he found his tribe and built many close friendships during his time there. Chris was a creator at his core and the depth of his imagination was awe-inspiring to many. Whether he was building fully functional droids, drawing, creating 3D models, patenting new inventions, or figuring out how to implement some new idea; he was never content without at least 5 projects underway at once. He would hit a block with one thing and move to another while his brain kept working on the first issue until he could resolve it and go back to it. It was not unusual for him to carry a sketch pad and pens around, or for the household to quietly whir with the sound of several printers going at once through the night, or for him to spend days researching some new technology that would expand the possibilities of his next creation. He wasn’t happy if he wasn’t bringing something new into the world. Chris was steadfastly devoted to God and believed deeply in his Catholic faith. The foundation of his soul-deep commitment to God was built in his childhood by his mother Madeleine and nurtured by her and the Church throughout the entirety of his life. After moving to Warren in 2004, Chris found a home at Saint Mark’s Parish and became an enthusiastic member of that faith community. At Saint Mark’s he found an even deeper dedication to his faith and aspired to become a deacon in the coming years. While that goal wasn’t reached before his passing, his faith did not waver during his illness, it grew stronger. In his last months, Chris wrote the following prayer, it is a wonderful representation of his love for God: Dear Lord I give my voice to You, until I am no longer able to sing to you. I give my lungs to You, until I can no longer breathe for you. I give my mind to You, until I can no longer think of you. I give my legs to You, until I can no longer walk to you. I give my arms to You, until I can no longer hold on to you. I give my heart to You, until it beats no more. I give You today, all that I am, all that I ever was, all that I will be. Because I love You. Because You are my God. You are my All. Amen. Chris was devoted to his family and friends; he loved each of them with all of his heart. He often spoke of how deeply he desired to be a good father and to set an example for his children in his relationship with them and with his wife. He worked towards that goal with his usual dedication and tried each day to improve from the last day and to learn from inevitable mistakes at every opportunity. With his wife, Elisabeth, he built a sanctuary at home for the family. Likewise, he strove to be a good son and brother and worked hard to make sure that his mother and brother always knew how deeply he loved them and were taken care of. Chris was a light, those who were blessed to know him got to bask in that light each time that we were with him. But Chris was never stingy with his light, he actively endeavored to make each interaction he had with someone leave them a little better off than they were before. It was just the way he was built and the world is a little darker and Heaven is a little brighter with his passing. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Saint Mark’s Parish, 4401 Bart Street, Warren, MI 48091. The mass will be followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 a.m. at MRCC Union Hall, 23401 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48091. All are welcome to celebrate Christopher with us! We do ask that you RSVP if you plan to attend the Celebration of Life to ensure we scale the lunch and space accordingly. Please take a moment to let us know if you will be joining us, please include your party size as well as any dietary needs we should be aware of: https://app.jotform.com/243015028440141. We look forward to seeing you there.