Christopher Winslow Doak

Chris, born July 17, 1957, in Brookline, Massachusetts, died unexpectedly Wednesday evening, March 15, 2017, at his longtime residence in the historic district of Williamsburg, Virginia. A myocardial infarction is believed to have occurred. After spending his first summer in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he moved with his parents, Ann Booth Young and Kenelm Winslow Doak to Pembroke, New Hampshire, with a stopover in Bristol, Rhode Island. Chris met many people in Concord and Pembroke during his first year. "Have bassinet, will travel!" could have been his motto as he accompanied one or both parents to all kinds of meetings and events, enjoying every moment. Later, equipped with walking legs, he rode the uphill portions on parental backs (in a seat harness) to Tuckerman Ravine, Mount Lafayette and other hills to get the view from the top. His love of hiking and camping was formed early. Moving to Concord in August, 1960, he thrived in a neighborhood of free range children. He played the French horn and loved art and cross-country skiing. In 1976, he graduated from Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts and then attended Skidmore College for 2 years before moving to Seattle. There, he applied the skills acquired from Nantucket summer baking jobs before Southern California beckoned. In Santa Barbara, he found his niche in horticulture, studying landscape design at Santa Barbara City College and launching a career in the care and protection of flowers, shrubs and trees. There he married Carolyn Burke in September 1989. Sadly, the marriage ended after one year. In 1994 he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of his sister. Continuing the landscape design business there and in Santa Fe, the arid conditions shifted his focus to native plants of the high Chihuahuan desert. Chris moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2003, joining the staff at Colonial Williamsburg's Landscape Department in 2006. He worked on the care and upkeep of both historic house gardens and contemporary landscapes. He was a member of the Southern Garden History Society. He had great interest in early American history and in the culture of sub-Saharan East Africa. He loved continuing his education at Thomas Nelson Community College in Williamsburg. Chris was well grounded in his métier and generous and patient sharing his knowledge. Having an excellent sense of humor, he recognized most human foibles and was able to rise above them. With an easy feel for design, artistic ability and acute sensitivity, he was enjoyable company. And lots of fun. He was always a loyal, accepting son and brother. He had many long-lasting friends and valued associates. Chris, with fourteen aunts and uncles, was a member of two large clans and had more than thirty cousins. His mother in Williamsburg, father in Concord, New Hampshire, and sister Elizabeth Chandler Doak with her wife, Kathryn Gayle Braziel, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will miss him deeply. They all have fond memories of trips, treks and explorations made with him and under his guidance. Above all, the good times just being with Christopher can never be forgotten. A memorial service for Chris will be held on April 28, 2017 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 612 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185 at 1:00pm. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.nelsencares.com. Arrangements under the direction of Nelsen Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA.