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Christopher Michael Bettencourt.
April 21, 1964 ~ March 6,
2001
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Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the
sunlight and ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting
rush
of quiet birds in circling flight ~
I am the soft star shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there ~ I did not die.
Mary E. Frye
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| Cordova's Class Shield |
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| Chris painted this for his graduating class |
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Chris had been selected to paint this shield to represent his graduating class.
He worked very hard on the shield and for years it hung on the walls of the gymnasium in testament to his
great artistic talent. It is my understanding that about 5 years ago all of the *old* class shields were destroyed. I was
heartbroken.
For personal reasons, this was my favorite artistic work of his.
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| Unicorn Mural ~ By Chris |
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| Painted on a High School wall. |
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Chris was always creating something to make people happy.
He had painted this mural for his high school art teacher. (An assignment, I believe...)
I thought it was just beautiful.
I am glad to have this picture of it as the mural was painted over, long ago.
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| The Jack of Hearts |
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| A Paul Stanley card that Chris made for me in 1982 |
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"Kiss" Fan
The inscription on the card back reads:
"If You love the one You lose ~ You never lose the one You love."
The words helped very little at the time of his death, but were a good reminder when the shock
of his death subsided, a bit.
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| Chris' Gravesite. |
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| Fair Oaks, California. |
The front of the memorial is comprised of a laser-etched duplicate of a
painting which depicts "The Millennium Falcon " in flight that Chris had created while at American River College. The cross
is a significant image also as it was traced from a pendant which was worn by Chris and is similar in style to one
worn by Peter Criss. (One of the members of the rock group *Kiss*)
Walking up to it the first time had me in tears. The
memorial is really fitting to him as a person and as an artist. The inscription on the front bears his name, The time
that he lived on Earth and the words
"Beloved
Son, Brother, Uncle And Friend
Talented
Artist, Costumer and Collector."
Never have I witnessed such an appropriate memorial to a person.
| Back of Memorial Stone |
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| With a "Paul Stanley" Star |
The back of the memorial bears his last name as well as a poem that was written by Chris.
The Inscription reads:
"I can't always be with you but a happy spirit can. Let the warmth flow through you
and hold your hand. Let it guide you on your journey and ease your weary mind. May it always keep you peaceful, joyful and
kind."
~CMB~
The Star (a symbol for his favorite *Kiss* band-member, Paul
Stanley.) and His name were sand blasted into the marble and then painted white.
I never imagined seeing the day that I would stand at Chris' Gravesite.
He was always there for me during the twenty years that I was fortunate
enough to be his friend.
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Number-One Loyal Kiss Fan, Star Trek aficionado, Star Wars devotee, Soul-Inspired Artist, Costumer
Extraordinaire, Lover of Renaissance Faires, Passionate Collector, Specialist in the knowledge of Quality
Anime, A Thoughtful, Devoted and Treasured Friend as well as a Loving, Adored and Much loved Family
Member. You are all of these... and so much more.
~ You are forever loved and always missed, My Friend ~
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| Click below for support after a death by Suicide |
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| To the world You are one person ~ But to one person, You are the world. |
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