Christian Karl von Graevenitz, 69, of Guilford, died Nov. 6 at home amongst his family and friends after a battle with cancer. He was born July 19, 1944 in Queens, New York to Gertrude (Schulte) and Ludwig von Graevenitz. Christian’s life had many chapters. He moved to Bersenbrück, Germany in 1948 with his mother and brother. At 16 years old, Christian joined the German Merchant Marine and left home to see the world.

In order to remain an American citizen, he returned to the United States at age 21. He was drafted into the United States Army (Lightning Storm), and served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. After his discharge he started a business in home repair by going door to door in Brooklyn, New York. Over time, this effort blossomed into CVG Contracting, which did high quality renovations throughout New York City.

During this period he raised three children, Joanne, Jennifer and Michael, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It was there that he opened his home to many people who needed a helping hand. He married Anne Liebling in 1996 and moved to Guilford to raise their daughter, Erika. Christian was a devoted Mr. Mom. 

As close friend Donna said and many feel, “Farewell and rest in peace, CVG. The best man at our wedding, the best man period, the best friend Jock could ever have wished for, one of my best friends, too. Vietnam vet, artist, actor, German apple pancake flipper extraordinaire, lover of cool beer, fine wine and Laphroaig whiskey, gardener with a magic touch, craftsman-contractor who could make plaster feel like silken marble, and turn piles of rocks into a winding wall with Jock’s help, Hog Mountain camping buddy, emergency medic after Jock slashed his hand to the quick on a broken dish, lederhosen wearer, smoker, toker, grumpy old man with a heart of gold, the von grooviest, dear, dear, dear Chris. I am so grateful to have had you in my life.”

Christian is survived by his wife Anne and their daughter Erika of Guilford; daughter Joanne and her husband Frank Grochowski of Greenpoint, Brooklyn; daughter Jennifer and her husband Reynolds Verdiner of Queens, New York; his son Michael Slattery of West New York, New Jersey; grandchildren Christina and Frances Grochowski; and Genie and Aliyah Verdiner; special family member Jen Zehler of Branford; and sister-in-law Dorothea von Graevenitz of Osnabrück, Germany. Christian was predeceased by his brother Hans von Graevenitz of Osnabrück, Germany.

A memorial celebration is being planned. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to Smilow Cancer Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital online at www.giveclosertofree.org/donate.html or to Closer to Free Fund of Smilow Cancer Hospital, P.O. Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519. The Guilford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.