John "Chris" Christopher Hay

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio to parents James T. and Orpha W. Hay.

Survived by wife of almost 55 years, Pat Hay of St. Petersburg, FL; sister Cynthia (Steve) Varney, brother Scott (Barbara) Hay of Pinellas Park, FL; nieces Shannon Hay Best (Todd); Jami Hay (Donavan); nephews Billy and David Hay; great-nieces Kylee and Everly Odom, Hailey and Emma Leigh Best; his pet chihuahua Tina, cat PJ, outside kitties Glebbie and Peepers. 

A graduate of Woodward High School in Cincinnati, class of 1966; he attended University of Cincinnati for a 2 years and attended The William Gebhardt School of Art in Cincinnati.

Chris was a laid back guy with a great, wry sense of humor. He was highly intelligent, multi-talented, well-read, and always eager to learn new things. He had a lifelong interest in photography and had his own darkroom in his childhood home. He was an amateur magician with past affiliations with Society of American Magicians and International Brotherhood of Magicians. He was an amateur ‘ham’ radio operator since his early teens (affiliations with ARRL, AlphaAlpha Amateur Radio Group). He was a talented painter who specialized in oils. 

Chris was an animal lover having had many cats and dogs through the decades. He was often opinionated and always backed up statements with facts but was willing to listen to others' points of view. He had an early interest in motorcycles and had a Harley Sportster in his late 50's. He was a talented musician: he played guitar, piano, harmonica and ukulele. He had an eclectic taste in music from the Beatles, Blues legends Eric Clapton and BB King to John Mayall, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Bobby Blue Bland, Taj Majal, Keb Mo', jazz and 1940's big bands. 

Chris spent his professional career as a graphic artist and designer having owned a graphic design company in Cincinnati; he retired in 2009 from Turner Printing in Clearwater.

He will be greatly missed by his ‘wifey’, family, and many friends.

RIP Chris!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Chris' honor to Pet Pal Animal Shelter 

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.