NORWICH – Douglas S. Christman, 76, a well know area Chevrolet-Buick dealer, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at his home on Fuller Road.
Born July 16, 1932 in Norwich, Doug was the son of Robert N. and Elizabeth (Scudder) Christman. He spent a very happy childhood in Norwich and graduated in 1950 as an honor student from Norwich High School. In 1955, Doug graduated Cum Laude from Syracuse University, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree. While there he was a member of Phi Mu Delta Fraternity.
Immediately following his graduation, Doug went to work for Christman Motor Sales where he remained for over fifty years. For over forty-five years he worked together with his cousin, Hank Scudder and Tom Morrone. He became the owner-operator in 1978.
In 1988, Doug married his best friend, Mary Lou Quackenbush Christman. They were married on the Island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They honeymooned in Leinster Bay at St. John aboard their forty-three foot Albin Trawler named “Chenango.”
Doug traveled extensively. His travels took him to Greece, Turkey, Austria, France, Monaco, Spain, Peru, Macchu Picchu, Germany, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as Antigua, Barbados and Nevus. One of his fondest memories of the Virgin Islands was a trip he and Mary Lou took to the Dutch side of St. Marten.
Doug was an avid NY Yankee and Syracuse University fan. He also loved to read and ride snowmobiles. During his younger years, Doug enjoyed many family vacations at their cottage in Windsor, where he loved nature study and fishing. He built and flew model airplanes and competed in two national model airplane championships in 1961 and 1962. For five years, Doug went to Mitchell, South Dakota to hunt pheasant. His passions also included restoring classic cars such as two Indy Pace Cars and a Camaro Supersport.
Doug is survived by his wife, Mary Lou and two daughters, Beth and Ann Christman; two step-sons, Patrick Ford and Michael Ford and his wife, Jennifer; four grandchildren, Meghan, Taylor, Logan and Evyn Ford and cousins including Hank, Robert and David Scudder and Eleanor Chisholm.
Funeral services for Doug will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Broad Street United Methodist Church. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Burial will take place in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Doug may be made to either the Chenango County SPCA or Hospice of Chenango County.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: http://wilsonfh.com.