With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved Chris at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pennsylvania on December 11, 2017 in his 56th year.

Chris was born in North Bay, Ontario on July 6, 1961, son of the late Charles and Joan Homer.

Chris is survived by his wife, Susan Homer, of Bellefonte, and his sister, Karen Homer of Ottawa, Ontario.

Raised in Brampton, Ontario, Chris’s passion for veterinary medicine began on his uncle’s (Paul Homer) dairy farm in Fergus, Ontario, where he spent every childhood summer. He graduated from the University of Guelph with a BSc in Agriculture and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with Honors (1992). He honed his professional skills while serving farming communities across rural Ontario and Alberta, Canada, becoming a skilled small animal practitioner and outstanding dairy herd health specialist.

On September 17, 1999, Chris married Susan Mahon of Toronto, Ontario. They moved to Pennsylvania in 2002, making their home in Bellefonte. Chris proudly worked with colleague and friend Dr. John Shapira of Straley Veterinary Associates for 10 years. In 2012, Chris and Susan established Straley Large Animal Veterinary Services in partnership with Dr. Kathleen Rhoads. A gifted teacher and storyteller, Chris’s wicked wit and humor entertained his many clients and friends. He was also known for his relentless determination to solve the most challenging veterinary cases. He tackled pancreatic cancer with that same unflinching ferocity and wry humor for 16 long months.

An ardent outdoorsman, Chris lived to fish. As a teenager, he canoed lakes in Canada’s Algonquin National Park with his life-long best friend, John Foley, fishing for bass and evading black bears. Chris’s angling adventures ranged from Atlantic deep-sea fishing in Senegal, Africa to weekends with local friends on Lake Erie. He was also a keen American Civil War and World War II historian, inspired by his father’s service with the Canadian Armed Forces. Chris thrived on political debates, never shy to express his often-alternative views. Under that raucous exterior, he hid a gentle, ever-introspective soul and seeking faith that resonated with the music of Bob Dylan and U2, zealous fan that he was.

Chris is deeply missed by his wife, Sue, his sister, Karen Homer of Ottawa, Ontario, his many friends, colleagues and clients in Central Pennsylvania, and his large extended family across Ontario, Canada.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Centre Hall, PA 16828. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the funeral home. A service and internment will later take place in Erin, Ontario, Canada. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, in memory of Christopher Homer, 1375 Martin St #206, State College, PA 16803.

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