This is my brother, Christopher. He was only 34 years old when he died by suicide. Chris was many things to so many people; he was my brother, he was Michael's and Brian's older brother, he was an uncle to 5 nephews and 1 niece, he was a son, he was a friend.
Chris was, at his best, brilliant. Chris could fix anything, understand anything, and explain anything. He was always the smartest guy in the room and he knew it and he made sure everyone else knew it too. He was fun and loving and experienced amazing highs. He had been a lifeguard, an ironworker, a navy man, a Chaminade student, an Ivy League college student, a 9/11 first responder, a car salesman, a restaurant worker, and a bouncer. His dog is named Taylor and they took an incredible road trip together to Florida in a jeep with a tent. To me, at the time, it was the bravest thing I had ever heard of. Chris could always do things that I could not. He would take chances that I would be afraid to take. I admired him. He wanted the best life had to offer and he deserved it.
But Chris had lows and during those lows he would loose so much of what he had worked for, jobs, security, and relationships. He became tired of the lows. And one day he decided he had been tired for long enough.
I have many unanswered questions.
I had many things left to say to him.
The pain my family feels because of Chris' suicide is 2nd only to the pain he must have felt to make the decision he made to end his life. No family should have to feel the pain of a loss by suicide. No one should have to suffer as Chris suffered and believe the only way to find relief is through suicide.
I am competing in The Nations' Triathlon in Washington DC on September 13th, 2009. I will be racing in memory of my brother, Christopher M. Coyle. I am raising money for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I would be honored if you would make a donation to this worthy charity in memory of Chris.