Durante, Christopher J., 1958-2023

Biography

https://patch.com/connecticut/weston-ct/obituary-christopher-j-durante-65-redding

Obituary: Christopher J. Durante, 65, Of Redding Chris began his career as a freelance framer, eventually opening Chris Durante Framing Studio in Danbury, which he operated for 38 years.

Information and Photo Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

REDDING, CT — Christopher J. Durante died unexpectedly at his home in Redding on September 4th, 2023. He was 65 years old. Chris was born in The Bronx, NY on Aug. 11, 1958, to the late Ludovico and Angela Durante. He moved to Danbury with his family at a young age and lived in the Danbury area for the rest of his life.

Chris was educated in Danbury schools, first at St. Joseph’s Elementary School and then Immaculate High School. He attended Western Connecticut State University and was a member of the class of 1981, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design. He also studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He then began a long and respected career in the world of fine art, applying his skills and knowledge to the craft and to teaching. He was one of the most sought-after framers and art installers in the area.

In 1981, Chris began his career as a freelance framer and art handler, eventually opening Chris Durante Framing Studio in Danbury, which he operated for more than 38 years. His studio was legendary, packed with all manner of art, sculpture, photographs, artifacts, detritus, and beautifully framed pieces for clients from all over the region. Friends and clients always loved dropping by the studio to shoot the breeze, listen to whatever fantastic (and dissonant) music was playing, and marvel at his fine work and collections.

Chris also found a calling as an art educator, with a brief teaching stint at The Wooster School in Danbury and then as an Adjunct Professor of Studio Art at Norwalk Community College, a position he held for more than 20 years. He was one of the founding organizers of The Gasball, a local music and arts festival in downtown Danbury, where he was the chief designer of their artwork.

In the early 2000s, Durante (as he was commonly known) met the love of his life, Catherine Lucia (née Catherine Anne Caputo) at a coffee shop near their respective studios. Over coffee and mutual interests, they became friends and eventually married in 2007. They began a life together full of travel, fine art, cooking, live music, Yankee baseball and countless gatherings with friends and family. They eventually settled in Redding, in a house filled with books, music, great food, fine art, crafts, gardens, and cats. And Yankee baseball. They were lifelong Yankee fans, and Yankee baseball was central to their lives.

Throughout their 16-year marriage, Durante proudly referred to Catherine as “my bride.” He was enormously devoted, took extraordinary care of her throughout her illness, and was known in the family as an “Italian mensch.” As strong-willed people, they kept each other honest, weaving together a profound love story that, however unexpected, was sacred to them.

Durante’s works have been shown extensively over the years at many galleries and art spaces, including Norwalk Community College, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (Ridgefield), The Cooperstown (NY) Museum, The Art Space (Norwalk), The Gallery at Still River Editions (Danbury), The Institute Library (New Haven), The Washington Art Association (Washington, CT), The Trailer Box Project (Bethel) and many others. He was also a member of the Silvermine Guild of Artists.

In addition to his parents, Chris is predeceased by his sister, Sister Danielle Durante-RSM and his mother- in- law and father-in-law, Rosemarie and Frank Caputo. He is survived by his brother, Daniel Durante and his wife, Diana, niece, Donna Evans and a nephew, David Durante and 4 grandnieces and nephews. Durante was briefly survived by Catherine, who succumbed to cancer two days after his death. He is also survived by beloved Aunt Catherine Gredoni, of New Canaan, several siblings-in-law on Catherine’s side of the family, a host of Lucia cousins, as well as many nieces, nephews, countless friends and colleagues and their cherished mentee, Alyssa Joyner of Danbury. He was predeceased by equally beloved Uncle Dominick Gredoni, of whom he also took exceptional care in his final years, as well as several Lucia aunts and uncles whom he had the pleasure of getting to know during their marriage.

There are no calling hours or services planned. A celebration of Chris’ and Catherine’s lives will be held at a later date for family and friends.

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