Christopher A Paez

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It is with great sadness that the family of Christopher R. Paez announces his sudden passing on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX after a brave battle with Leukemia.   Christopher was 31 years old.  He took his last breath in the loving arms of his family.Christopher was born on August 14, 1985 in Chicago Heights, IL. He attended Crete-Monee High School and graduated in 2003. On April 17, 2010, he married his best friend, Jamie (Bakhaus). They resided in Bradley, IL.  After high school, Christopher worked in customer service, sales and the automotive industry but he recognized his real passion for cooking and completed his culinary arts degree at Robert Morris University in 2009. His love of the kitchen was evident in each of the meals he prepared. His incredible talent and attention to detail gave his food that special touch. He worked in the restaurant industry for a short time but after his diagnosis his cooking expertise was primarily enjoyed and appreciated by his family at Sunday dinners and parties. His culinary passion was barbequing and he worked incessantly to perfect his skill, always striving to make sure his was the best!In addition to cooking, Christopher loved the mountains of Colorado. He truly felt at peace when he spent time with his family at the cabin there. He was also a passionate fan of the Chicago Blackhawks and he enjoyed fishing, playing Xbox with his son, listening to music, especially John Denver, and spending time with his family. Christopher and his son had a very special bond. They honestly were each other€™s best friend. Christopher loved his son more than anything in this world and wanted nothing more than for him to be happy.There are no words to describe the type of person Christopher was. He left an impression on everyone who met him. His sense of humor was unique to him but he thought he was quite funny. We will miss his jokes and funny pictures even if we didn€™t always understand them.  He loved to tease but it was always to make you laugh or lighten the mood. Christopher always had a warm round of hugs for everyone when arriving or leaving. He was an incredible father, husband, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend. His heart was so full of love and life. He will forever be missed.Christopher will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jamie and their precious six-year-old son, Max; his parents, Mary and Larry Paez Jr. of Monee; his sister, Roxanne Paez and her fiancé, Steve Childress of Chicago Heights; his brother, Larry Paez, III and family; his paternal grandfather, Larry Paez Sr. of Glen Elyn; his father & mother-in-law, Alan and Laurie Bakhaus of Grant Park; his brother & sister-in-law, Andy and Julie Bakhaus and his niece, Zoey Bakhaus all of Denver, Colorado; his grandmother, Eleanor Tyson of Grant Park. Christopher will also be forever loved and remembered by his numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. Ginger, his loving dog, will forever miss her favorite person.Christopher was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Eugenia Rudyj; paternal grandmother, Esther Paez; maternal uncle, Robert Rudyj; paternal aunt, Esther Bruno; maternal cousins, Tonya Brooks and David Rudyj; and paternal cousin, Phillip Hamiti.Even though the last 3 years were taxing, Christopher somehow kept a positive outlook, smile on his face and was always able to put a smile on ours.  There is no describing the void that we all now feel. He fought courageously and will always be our hero!There will be a visitation on Tuesday, August 15 from 2:00PM with a Celebration of Life Prayer service starting at 7:30PM until closing prayers at 8:00PM at the Monee Funeral Home 5450 Wilson St. (at Governors Hwy.), Monee, IL 60449.  Everyone to join us on Wednesday, August 16 for a funeral mass at 11AM at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church at 835 N Oakley Blvd. (corner of Oakley and Rice), Chicago, Illinois..   Info: (708) 534-0016.  Moneefuneralhome.com