The very singular life of Chris Tschupp can be measured not in any singular thing that often defines a life, but in the fact that so many things defined him. Far beyond the handsome rugged exterior, was a multi-faceted man of many talents, and the careers he discovered as a natural consequence of those talents, along with the people from so many walks of life that were part of his journey. For Chris, it was as simple as seizing an opportunity that he immersed himself in and the circle of people that were part of it.
Characteristic of his life and personality, there was no demure death for Chris, his adversary was ALS and he gave it a stubborn and heroic battle. Chris passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, survived by his soulmate and wife Sofia Grace; his loving parents, Ron and Barbara Tschupp; his sister, Lori Delucca; niece, Sophia Delucca; and his loyal lab, Lyla.
His first love, hockey, remained just that, from his days as a draft pick in the NHL, to a hockey scholarship at University of Notre Dame, the thrill of being on the ice was second to none. And the friends he gathered from youth hockey, prep school and the pros remained friends for life as well. His segue into the modeling world was equally as impressive as being drafted into the pros at 18 – he was discovered by Calvin Klein himself. Traversing the world with supermodels and gracing billboards was like another outfit Chris wore, until life offered yet another adventure, and the new one was a better fit.
Acting opportunities arose almost serendipitously, so why not seize the opportunity to break out in nothing less than “Sex and the City” and break Carrie Bradshaw’s heart. True to his work ethic and aspirations to rise to the top in all his endeavors, when audition scripts were sub-par, it seemed the natural move to write them himself. One publication that chronicled his many endeavors labeled Chris a renaissance man, one that feels entirely appropriate in considering his creativity, talent, work ethic and values.
The chapters of each of these lives were sprinkled with his own signature spice, a blend of wit, defiance, charm, and an ever-widening circle of dear friends and loved ones. From life on ice in the East, to surfing the beaches of Southern California, he loved a road trip to the mountains equally as much as he did a wild night out. A natural and unabashed leader, he was the life of the party whether he was in his hometown, Tom’s River, NJ or partying in LA or NYC.
In his final months, in spite of the advanced stage of his disease, he made his last pivot with painting to leave a legacy of artworks that chronicle his journey with ALS and his perspective of his world through its lens. And they chronicle the full measure of his immense talent as well.
A celebration of Chris’s life will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2022 with a Memorial Gathering at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Toms River, followed by a surf paddle-out on the beach in front of The Sawmill in Seaside Park, with Budweisers to follow at the Sawmill.
Written by Joan Beeson, Sofia Grace’s Aunt
Inspiration directly from Chris
Since growing up on the Jersey Shore, Chris Tschupp has made a name for himself as a professional hockey player, actor, model, and screenwriter, among other accomplishments. However, in April of 2019, Tschupp received a devastating diagnosis, that he had ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) aka Lou Gehrig’s disease and only 2 to 5 years to live. ALS is a disease that attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord that are needed to keep muscles moving, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
Chris needs your help to #HaltALS. Through many hours of research and interaction with neurologists, and doctors practicing in various modalities; Chris has learned that his treatments needed, and care to live as comfortably as possible are incredibly expensive. He has been in the care of Dr. Bedlack, of Duke University, who is doing everything in his power to Halt Chris’ ALS, including experimenting with treatment options that have shown to be promising in his other patients.
Dr. Bedlack is hopeful and continues to work to raise more funds that will offer larger trials and accessibility for (PALS—People with ALS) to treatments he has found to be effective in smaller trials that he has previously conducted. Chris is inspired to contribute a portion of his fundraising efforts to the continuation of the tireless work and dedication that Dr. Bedlack has spent his life pursuing.
