Christopher L. Reven

On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, the world became a much less fun and interesting place when Christopher “Chris” Reven departed for his next adventure surrounded by his family. Chris is remembered for his devotion to always drilling an extra hole (whether it was needed or not), never reading the instructions, and, most importantly, for always being there for a friend or family member in need.

Growing up on a farm, Chris dreamed of returning to a large plot of land with a barn in the country, and while he never saw that goal realized, he was happiest while operating his tractors, skid steer, bulldozer, and a variety of other equipment on his ½-acre property in Hudson, New Hampshire—and even happier when his friends and family were lending a hand.

Underneath his unassuming “uniform” of a black polo shirt and jeans, Chris was many things to many people: father, grandfather, ex-husband, boyfriend, father-in-law, friend, contractor, and instant-oil change service—and indispensable and exasperating to everyone. He was smart, funny, dependable, had a solution to every problem, and was always available to lend a hand. He was also always right, even when he was wrong.

Chris possessed a work ethic born on the farm but could play as hard as he worked. Whether serving in the Marine reserves, going for a hike, taking a bike ride, rock and ice climbing, taking a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls, or jumping out of an airplane, Chris never lacked a sense of adventure—something anyone who saw him wield a chainsaw can attest to.

One of Chris’s greatest talents was accumulating friends (and tractor engines) wherever he went. He couldn’t go to or from work without stopping to do two or three other jobs on the way, and never could pass something interesting for sale on the side of the road without stopping for a closer inspection. If you were to ask him, he thought of his oldest customers as his friends, and his friends as family.

While most will remember Chris as a great friend, his lasting legacy is as a father and grandfather. As a father, Chris instilled his love of adventure, curiosity, and ability to fix things in his daughter and was always up for anything—whether it was a trip to Canada or installing a new water heater. As much as Chris treasured being the world’s greatest dad, he was also a doting grandfather, as evidenced by the many Barbies, stuffed animals, and other little girl toys that have slowly taken over every room in his house over the past few years.

Chris is survived by too many tractor engines to count, a variety of compact equipment, two Harleys, a full garage, a fuller storage unit, a hot rod that doesn’t run (and lives in someone else’s garage), numerous unfinished projects, and a season or two worth of firewood. He also leaves behind years of unforgettable memories, lots of laughs (just a few at his expense), and many, many loved ones including, but not limited to: his daughter, Ashley, and son-in-law, Tim “Shoelace” Peck; his partner, Landra Gagnon, her son, Andrew, her son Nicholas and his wife, Christina, and her grandchildren, Wynonna and Nicholas, Jr.; his ex-wife/best friend, Leslie Reven; his other best friend, Lynn Morin; his honorary daughter, Laura Morin; his mother, Betty Reven, and his siblings, nieces, and nephew; and his favorite (only) mother-in-law, Barbara Haymann. He was predeceased by his father, Edward Reven, and his father-in-law Perry Haymann.

A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, November 3rd from 5:00pm-6:00pm at The Cremation Society of New Hampshire, 243 Hanover Street in Manchester. A memorial service will follow at 6pm in the funeral home—feel free to be late, Chris would be. He also wasn’t a suit person (although rumor has it he owned several sweater vests), so your best black tee or Hawaiian shirt and jeans will suffice. Chris also wasn’t the type who would want everyone to be sad, so be prepared to share your best story, have a drink, and celebrate the life of one of the world’s best characters.