Christopher A. Waite

SELKIRK- Christopher A. Waite, P.E., 75, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 26, 1951, Chris lived a life defined by dedication to his family, his profession, and the many communities he served.

Chris was the eldest of ten children born to the late Marion Flanagan Waite and Ronald E. Waite Jr. Growing up in a bustling household on Knob Hill Road, he and his siblings shared countless happy memories, laughter, and meals around the table of their modest home. Those early years fostered the strong family bonds that remained at the center of his life.

He attended Shaker High School, Class of 1969, and proudly graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1973 with a degree in civil engineering. Chris dedicated 36 years to the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation, where he served as Chief Engineer and Executive Project Manager for the Tappan-Zee Bridge Environmental Study. Throughout his distinguished career, he earned the respect of colleagues across the state for his expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. He served as President of the Association for Bridge Construction & Design (ABCD), and following his retirement, Chris continued to share his knowledge as a consultant with Trans-System.

He is survived by his beloved partner, Wendy Clark; his daughters, Sarah Waite and her husband Nicholas Lue, Brianne Waite, and Erin Waite; Wendy’s daughter, Samantha Tryon and her husband, William Tryon; his siblings, Debbie Shaffer (David), Dennis Waite (Leslie), JR Waite (Maggie), Pamela J. Waite (Margi Santen), Sean Waite (Carole), Claudia McCoy (Mark), and Stephen Waite (Ali); as well as scores of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

He is also survived by his former wife, Fran Waite, with whom he shared 30 years of marriage and the joy of raising their three daughters. They remained close friends throughout the years.

Chris was predeceased by his brother, Kevin Waite (Linda); his sister, Kathleen Commander, and her husband, Mark Commander; and Wendy’s son, Jerry Clark.

Nothing brought Chris greater happiness than being a grandfather. He was lovingly known as "Grandpa" to Isabella and Kellen, "Pop Pop" to Aiden, Ryan, and Benjamin, and "Opa" to Logan, Adelaide, and William. Each grandchild held a special place in his heart, and he delighted in celebrating their accomplishments and sharing in their lives.

Before his health declined, Chris and Wendy enjoyed traveling the world together, taking riverboat cruises throughout Europe and exploring countries they had long dreamed of visiting. They looked forward to many more adventures together.

A lifelong supporter of the arts, Chris had a love of music that was one of his defining passions. He had a deep appreciation across all genres and was continually in awe of musicians’ talent and artistry. While he played a bit of guitar himself, his greatest joy came from listening—whether at live concerts or at home. Over the years, he attended countless performances, supporting both local and international artists, and built a lifetime of musical memories. After losing his sight, music became an even more important source of comfort, connection, and joy, filling his days with familiarity and peace.

Chris also took immense pride in his large Irish family. As the devoted keeper of the Flanagan Family Tree, "Cousin Chris" faithfully maintained his extended family’s lineage and an email network connecting more than 500 relatives, celebrating births, sharing monthly birthdays, and ensuring family ties remained strong across generations.

Chris leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and generosity. His unforgettable stories—always told with tenderness, quick wit, and impeccable timing—filled every gathering with heartfelt laughter and often a few tears of joy. Though blindness and cancer took him from us far too soon, they never diminished his spirit, his love for his family, or his remarkable ability to bring people together.

Chris's passing leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew and loved him. His memory will live on in the stories we tell, the traditions he cherished, and the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

-Sir Paul McCartney, The Beatles.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Daniel Keenan Funeral Home 490 Delaware Ave. Albany.

A private celebration of Chris's life will be held for his family on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont, New York.

Donations can be made in Chris’s honor to either of these charities that were important to him

Playing For Change Foundation, 8424 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite A, #761, West Hollywood, CA 90069 - USA - https://playingforchange.org/donate/

Playing For Change Foundation believes music and culture serve as the most powerful resource to bring communities together and solve the world’s greatest challenges. Founded in 2007, PFCF was established to create positive change through music and arts education.

Michael A. Flanagan Irish Music Heritage Inc., P.O. Box 584, Glenmont, New York 12077- https://flanaganfamilymusic.com/donate

The Michael A. Flanagan Irish Music Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to support our shared Irish culture, including recognizing outstanding traditional Irish musicians, participating in Irish music festivals, along with projects to preserve and disseminate Irish history, music, and culture.