Christopher Joseph Caltabiano

Christopher Caltabiano Jr., 28, from Havertown and Ardmore Pennsylvania, died on December 19, 2023, in Boynton Beach, Florida from a fentanyl overdose.

Christopher was a calm and easy baby. The day he was born, he slept through the night. For the rest of his life, he slept like a rock and snored like a grumbling bear.

When he was just four days old, he followed a baseball rattle with his newborn eyes, an early sign of his great hand eye coordination that would later serve him in the sports he played.

Christopher is survived by;

• His Mother Linda Geraghty. She settled Christopher to sleep as a young child by dancing him around the living room to Andrea Boccelli. His head rested on her shoulder, and he was safe and for her, that was the best feeling in the world.

• His Father, Christopher Caltabiano Sr. played the bass guitar while young Christopher giggled and bopped to the Grateful Dead.

• His sister, Nicole Caltabiano, who he looked up to all his life. He was so proud of her when she accomplished hard things. They had a deep understanding and love for each other.

• His brother, Stephen Caltabiano, who Christopher fiercely protected. These brothers shared an unbreakable love and bond in all aspects of life. Their greatest joy, a simple baseball catch in the street in front of their house, that almost always turned intense. There was no such thing as simple when it came to a baseball catch between Stephen and Christopher.

• His sister Christina Caltabiano, who Christopher always included in his life. He continually mentored, embraced, and advocated for her.

• His stepfather, Bryan Geraghty, who provided Christopher unconditional, selfless love. He taught him to be respectful, reminding him to listen more and talk less. That was always a hard sell.

• His Grandmother, Marsha Caltabiano, who showered him with Italian Mom-mom love, food, and family.

• His niece, Giovanna Ritarose Christofas (G), who Christopher simply referred to as his “favorite person on Earth”. He taught her the importance of wearing green during Eagles games and would sit on FaceTime explaining play-by-play. At commercials, they took dance breaks. She would sneak phone calls to him at midnight, and he would always sit with her and talk until she fell asleep.

• His niece, Ellie Rose Caltabiano. He was so grateful that he got to meet her last month when he was passing through Philadelphia. He simply referred to her as “freakin’ adorable.”

• His grandfather William Geraghty Sr., who Christopher had a deep respect for. They greeted each other every time with fake air punches and “who is tougher” stories.

• His Grandmother, Barbara Geraghty, made him feel loved and safe by taking his calls every time. She was always happy when he took the time to talk to her.

• His Grandfather, Joseph D’Occhio, Sr. Christopher, made a sport out of getting under his Pop-Pop Joe’s skin, just because he could.

• His Godfather, Matthew Caltabiano, who loved Christopher for his larger-than-life presence that lit up every room he entered.

• His Godmother, Deborah Weyand, who had such a deep love for him and he for her. She always embraced him with unconditional love without judgement, and he felt it.

• Uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends who will miss his strong and loving spirit also survived him.

Christopher is preceded in Death by;

• His Grandfather, Joseph Caltabiano Sr. whose words of wisdom never changed “Make Good Choices.” And “Baseball is the essence of all life in the universe.” They shared a deep, unbreakable bond.

• His Grandmother, Rita D’Occhio, Christopher unapologetically hugged tighter than anyone. He never treated her like she was broken.

• His cousins Joseph (JoJo) Guy D’Occhio III, and Michael Anthony Weyand, who also left us way too soon. JoJo and Michael shared Christopher’s love for the perfect Philly cheesesteak and all things Philly sports.

Christopher’s first love was baseball. He played for countless teams as a pitcher and was often the fourth hitter in the lineup. It was not uncommon for Christopher to lose his cool and walk off the field when the game was not going his way. He argued with almost all his coaches, and “passionately corrected” many of his teammates for errors made. The pitching mound at Hilltop was his home. His favorite year was the one he spent on the 12-year-old tournament team at Hilltop Babe Ruth in Havertown. He broke the home run record that year, hit a grand slam at states against Springfield, and was part of a baseball family that he never forgot. Christopher played for the Narberth Legion, Harriton High School, Archbishop Carroll, Delaware County Community College and many more.

Christopher was also a golden glove boxer, enjoyed pickup basketball at South Ardmore Park, and was the quintessential Philadelphia sports fan other cities hated us for, and our city loved us for.

Christopher's talent extended off the field and onto the page. He was a beautiful writer, artist, musician, and rapper. Christopher wrote and performed much of his most recent album, ‘The Gifts of Desperation’.

He had a talent for sales and spent the last two years working for a national moving broker in South Florida. He would often say, “I could sell toilet paper to someone who didn’t even have a toilet.”

Christopher’s emotions were larger than this world could sometimes hold. He spent his adult life trying to come to peace with a mind that seemed to turn on him, yet never gave up the search for a place to settle within himself. He was not alone in his struggles. Over 100,000 smart, creative, and loving people like him died from drug overdoses this year, leading to the shattered hearts of their surviving family and friends.

We were so lucky to experience his ridiculous sense of humor, passions, gifts, and enormous love. Because of the many rehabilitation centers, tireless allies, and fellowship of friends in recovery, who were only a phone call away, we got many more precious years with Christopher. When he was sober and in recovery, he took great pride in helping a fellow sufferer in need.

Christopher gave all he had to this life and always had a hope of a brighter future. We are so grateful to have had this time with him. Rest in peace, our dear, precious boy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Visitation on Friday morning December 29, 2023 9:30-10:50 AM in the Funeral Home of John Stretch 236 E. Eagle Rd. Havertown, PA 19083 followed by Words of Remembrance 11:00 AM. Interment will be in St. Denis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Christopher's memory to Be a Part of the Conversation https://conversation.zone/donation/