Christopher Michael Quezada, born September 17th, 1988 in Tustin, CA, and a resident of Morgan Hill, CA since 1996, passed away suddenly on November, 27th, 2006, in a tragic car accident in Los Altos Hills. He had just turned eighteen. Deeply mourning Christopher are his mother Eva Musgrove, father George Quezada, and stepfather Tim Musgrove. Christopher is cherished also by his older brother George (21), his little sister Sophie (9) and little brother Derek (6). A host of grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends also remember him with fondness, including many from the local area as well as from Orange County, and his father’s companion Merle Gitlin. He will be terribly and painfully missed by all.
Christopher was known as a passionate, thoughtful young man who cared deeply about people of all varieties, and was especially concerned over matters of fairness and numerous ethical and social issues of today. He frequently talked about such things with a heartfelt seriousness, and many gained important insights from him, including his elders. He was dear to his friends, and took seriously the supporting of a friend in mourning. Those closest to him felt that the world would be a better place if we all followed the ideals to which Christopher aspired.
Christopher loved children, and was looked up to by his younger sister and brother and many young cousins. He was notably loving and caring with his brothers and sister, and was generous in giving his time to the little ones, whether tossing a ball with Derek, playing the piano for Sophie, or just horsing around with both of them. He adored his cocker spaniel, Sparky.
A common observation of his many friends, teachers and family is that Christopher was an exceptionally mentally gifted person. He earned his school’s Continental Math Award and both the Presidential Fitness Award and the Presidential Academic Award. As a youngster he earned Pop Warner Football’s Scholar Athlete award. In Junior High he was selected for the Johns Hopkins Academic Achievement program, taking his first SAT test at the age of 12, and continued receiving letters from Johns Hopkins University offering him their programs at Berkeley and UC Irvine. As a young teenager he participated in summer classes at Orange Coast College as well as a Summer UC Irvine program in Orange County. His most recent award was the Live Oak High School Honor Roll.
In addition to Pony Baseball and Pop Warner Football, Christopher was involved in basketball at the YMCA (both as player and assistant coach) and the South County Basketball Academy, and later he joined the Track Team as well as the Cross Country Team of Live Oak High School. As a sports fan, his favorite teams included the Lakers, Chargers, and Angels. Christopher also enjoyed wakeboarding, jet skiing, swimming, snorkeling, bodysurfing, bowling and hiking, such as going to the top of El Toro in Morgan Hill. He was environmentally conscious and was to known to be a non-materialistic, generous person.
Christopher emphasized and exemplified to his peers the importance of open-mindedness. For example, he had acquired a taste in lesser-known musical artists exhibiting complex harmonies and more expressive lyrics than found in more popular music. And he frequently spoke out to defend the dignity of other races and cultures. Christopher had intentions of a future career in some form of community service or social activism, perhaps abroad (he was very interested in the Peace Corps). Fittingly, he admired Che Guevara de la Serna and Emiliano Zapata. At the same time, he was a confirmed Catholic, and had immensely enjoyed his spiritual retreat with the other youth of Saint Catherine’s parish. Chris had been happy to be an altar boy when he was younger, and for a time considered the priesthood. Having turned 18 just in time to vote in the last election, he discussed issues on the ballot extensively with family and friends before deciding his vote.
Christopher had overcome adversity after his junior year in High School, when an illness sent him on a path toward falling behind in his classes. Christopher accelerated his work, made up for lost units, and graduated together with his peers. He then immediately enrolled in De Anza College, signing up for courses in medical technology and social studies. Meanwhile he held a job at his favorite Morgan Hill restaurant, the Sinaloa Cafe, where he was well appreciated as a conscientious worker.
Over the last couple of weeks, Christopher was in the process of moving into a new place where he would be closer to De Anza College. Around 8:30 pm, on his way home from school, a drive down an unfamiliar, curvy road in dark, damp conditions brought him to an unexpected sharp turn. His end came quickly, but his effects on many of us will last forever, and we are the better for it.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 5th, starting at 4:30 PM and continuing until the Vigil Service at 6:30 PM, both at Johnson Funeral Home, 17720 Monterey Street, Morgan Hill. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 6th, at St. Catherine Parish, 17400 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill. Following that, the committal will be at San Carlos Catholic Cemetery, in Monterey, California, at 792 Fremont Street. In lieu of cut flowers, the family requests live plants that are native to the area, from which they will start a new garden for Christopher.
