Christopher Rodgers

Christopher Lane Rodgers, age 49, of Erie, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at home after a 4 year battle with cancer.

He was born in Rutland, VT on February 22, 1967, son of the late Harold Rodgers and Patricia Stanley Rodgers of Chittenden, VT.

Chris graduated from Proctor High School in 1985 and attended Champlain College.

Chris began his aviation career shortly after graduating high school, beginning as a baggage handler with People Express Airlines in Burlington, VT. After getting hired by USAirways in in 1987, Chris rose through the ranks moving with each promotion, relocating to Rhode Island, Long Island, Pittsburgh, and finally achieving the position of station manager on December 6, 1999 in Erie, PA . He was then hired at the Erie International Airport in February 2002 and became the Airport Director in 2008. Chris was a strong force in the construction of the runway extension in 2012. Chris' dedication extended beyond the airport to include his adopted hometown of Erie. In support of this, he served on many local boards including: Visit Erie, the Economic Development Corporation, Erie Metropolitan Planning Organization, and PA Bureau of Aviation's Air Service Development Committee.

He served as Cub Master for pack 182. He served as District Chairman and Council President for French Creek Council, where he was very active in many Boy Scout activities. Chris attended Dorchester Drive Baptist Church.

His greatest achievement was his family, and loved spending time hiking, camping, swimming, skiing, tossing the football and pitching in the backyard with his two sons.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, two uncles, David Stanley and Carl Rodgers and an aunt, Linda Rodgers.

Chris is survived by his wife, Ann Valiquette Rodgers; two sons, Liam M. and Layne P. Rodgers both at home; his mother, Patricia Rodgers; a sister, Melanie Egan and her husband Stuart of Lancaster, VA, and a brother, Clyde Rodgers of Ontario, Canada; a nephew, Jeremy Yarosz; and a special grand-nephew Zachary Yarosz. He is further survived by aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a service on Monday at the Dorchester Drive Baptist Church, 5002 Dorchester Dr, Erie, PA 16509 on Monday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Richard Bell officiating. Burial to follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Regional Home Health and Hospice for the excellent care and support they gave to Chris, Ann and the boys as well as their Dorchester Baptist Church family for all of their love and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the French Creek Council Boy Scouts of America, 1815 Robinson Rd. W. Erie, PA 16509, or to the Dorchester Drive Baptist Church 5002 Dorchester Dr., Erie, PA 16509.