Christopher R. Detwiler died on April 6 in the Norwell home he shared with his parents for forty nine years. Chris had a brave spirit and a generous heart. His wants were few, but his pleasures were many. He loved being with his friends; the staff and his fellow coworkers at Road to Responsibility in Marshfield, the volunteers and his buddies at Friendship Home in Norwell and the members of his church, First Parish of Norwell. He was a regular and a favorite at PJ's restaurant in Scituate. His ready smile and his clear enjoyment of life's simple gifts endeared him to others wherever he went.

Nothing made Chris happier than the celebration of the many family birthdays, and no birthday was planned without Chris in mind. His own was the occasion for a week of festivities. Celebration wasn't limited to birthdays, however, for Chris found every event a cause to celebrate, from the first spring peeper to the winter solstice. He loved exciting weather, music of all kinds, a special meal, travel abroad, a day watching planes come and go and any outing with his special buddy, his dad. His wonder and delight was often expressed with a hearty "Wow!" His quick sense of humor, his intuitive sense of what others were feeling, and his joy in small things were a lesson, an inspiration and a blessing.

Chris was at the center of a large and adoring family. He leaves his parents Betsey and Robert, his brother Andrew and wife Katherine, brother Peter and wife Julie, brother Jonathan and wife Laurie, brother Jefferson and wife Meredith and his nieces and nephews Kelsey, Alandar, Isabelle, Chad, Conor, Forrest, William (Liam), Harrison, William (Will) and Soren. He also leaves his loving aunt, Sylvia Loud Slakey and her husband Steven, of Glendora, CA and a number of cousins.

The family would like to express its gratitude for the loving care and support of the wonderful nurses of South Shore Hospital and the Norwell VNA and Hospice.

A private burial service will be held for family. A Celebration of Chris's Life will take place on May 31 at 11 a.m. at First Parish of Norwell, 24 River Street, Norwell, MA.

For those wishing to honor this very special life, the family would appreciate donations to Road to Responsibility, 1831 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA, 02050 or Friendship Home, PO Box 916, 458 Main Street, Norwell, MA, 02061.