KANTON, CHRIS

Chris Kanton, age 23, passed away in the line of duty on Saturday, August 6, 2005 in Riverside County. Chris was born December 1, 1981 in Puyallup, WA and moved with his family to Paso Robles, CA when he was nine years old. While in high school Chris started as a paid call firefighter at Station 33 at Heritage Ranch in Paso Robles, CA. After graduating from high school in 2000, Chris attended and graduated from the Allan Hancock Fire Academy in Santa Maria, CA and subsequently completed three years as a seasonal firefighter in Riverside County, CA. He completed HAZMAT training and served on the HAZMAT team at Station 81 in Bermuda Dunes and other locations as a full-time firefighter. Recently, Chris was transferred to Station 58 in Moreno Valley where he served as a Firefighter II.

Chris' love and passion for firefighting is exemplified by the numerous certifications he achieved throughout his career. Chris had an interest in photography and served as the yearbook photographer and editor in high school. His greatest love was extreme sports. Chris was an avid wakeboard, snowboard, and motorcycle enthusiast. When he was not on duty with CDF he worked for the Ski Patrol at Big Bear and rode his dirt bikes in the summer. Chris learned to play hockey (he was a goalie) before arriving in California and played in several leagues including the high school league in Paso Robles. For the past four years he played hockey in the Firefighter Olympics for both L.A. and Riverside Counties.
 

In February of this year Chris married Kathryn Motts and they made their home in Temecula, CA, with their two dogs Nixon and Kaylee. Chris was a giving person. Helping others, regardless of their need, was an integral part of his personality. He had another side too. He was fun to be with and could bring a smile to your face, if not outright laughter, in even the most difficult of times. Words cannot express the joy that Chris brought to all of those that he touched. Chris was a loving son, husband, and brother. He was our friend. We will miss him.

Chris is survived by his wife Kathryn of Temecula; parents, Paul and Mary Kanton of Paso Robles, California; sister, Heather Alspach and husband, Michael, and their son Blake of Paso Robles; Grandmother Betty Sharber of Paso Robles; Uncle Pete Kanton, and wife Carol and their daughter Ashley of Scottsdale AZ; Uncle Robert Sharber and wife Linda, and their son Jason and daughter Jana of Eugene Oregon; Great Aunt Bessie Georgouses of Santa Cruz California; Linda Motts mother-in-law; Tim Motts, Father-in-law; Janelle Thompson, sister-in-law and husband Casey; Michael, Jeff and Tim Motts, brothers-in-law, all of Mission Viejo.
A memorial service with full fire department honors will be held on Wednesday August 10, at the Cross Road Church in Corona California at 2:00 PM. In addition, a Rosary will be held Thursday, August 11 at 7:00 PM at the Kuehl-Nicolay F.H. in Paso Robles, and a Mass will be held Friday, August 12 at 10:00 AM at St. Rose Catholic Church in Paso Robles. A fire engine processional will follow to the Paso Robles District Cemetery for the committal. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Firefighters Benevolent Association of, either Riverside 21160 Box Spring Rd. Moreno Valley CA 92557, or San Luis Obispo, P.O. Box 3095, Paso Robles CA 93447.