Chris H. Sauer

CHRISTIAN HUBERT SAUER, JR. On October 20, 2017, lifelong Chico resident Christian "Chris" Hubert Sauer Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 91, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 9, 1926, in Chico, California, to Christian Hubert Sauer Sr. and Mary Loreta Sauer. Chris attended Notre Dame Catholic School and graduated from Chico High School, where he was elected senior class president. He was an active member in Our Divine Savior Catholic Church. Chris served in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1947, and was employed as a telecommunications professional for more than 50 years. He started out in the 1940s at Pacific Telephone and Telegraph (Pac Bell) as a lineman. Through hard work, perseverance and patience, he worked his way up through the telecom ranks, ultimately serving with Pac Bell as a senior outside plant engineer. Many of Chris' children and grandchildren followed his footsteps into the telecom industry. In 1999, Chris was elected as Chairman of the Board of ITC Service Group, Inc., a telecommunications company founded by his sons, a position he held for more than 15 years. He is survived by his wife of six years, Rita Costa Sauer, and her children, Rita Ann Costa-Bill, Monica Seaman, Lenny Costa, Michael Costa, Stephen Costa, Lenette Costa and Marylisa Carrier; his sisters, Dorothy Bickett and Virginia Hathaway; his brother, David Sauer; his nine children with first wife Madeline Sauer, now deceased, Debbie Dutra, Stephanie Ciotti, Lynette Coleman, Chris Sauer III, Karin Thomas, Becky Gordon, Michael Sauer, Susie Hughes and Tim Sauer; his two stepdaughters with second wife Deanna Campbell Sauer, now deceased, Tracy and Patricia Campbell; and by twenty-seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Mary Sauer; his brothers, Ronnie and Raymond Sauer; and his sisters Catherine Rollins and Jean Kishel. A viewing will be held at the Brusie Funeral Home, 626 Broadway, Chico, California, on Friday, November 3, 2017, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, with a rosary following. Mass will take place the following day on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at 11:00 am at Our Divine Savior Catholic Church, 566 East Lassen Avenue in Chico. Following a private graveside service, the family will receive friends in the church reception area. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to your favorite charity or perform a random act of kindness in memory of the deceased.