The bench where Chris Christodoulou used to spark up conversation

A MAN who struck up conversation with anyone and everyone and was “part of the fabric of Hampstead” has died at the age of 59.

Tributes have poured in to remember Chris Christodoulou, who lived in Field Court, Hampstead, up until his death on July 16. He could often be found sitting on a bench in Fitzjohn’s Avenue – which is now carpeted in flowers – listening to other people’s problems, laughing and sharing wisdom.

His older brother Harry Christodoulou, who also lives in Hampstead, said he was overwhelmed by the community’s response to Chris’s death, adding: “Other than when celebrities have died, I’ve never seen anything like this. He was very, very outgoing, very sociable, happy to talk to everyone. He was very supportive.”

Hampstead resident Vicki Carpenter told the New Journal: “He taught us how to talk to each other again. He opened up the neighbourhood. The loss is deeper than I ever imagined. One doesn’t realise how important he is and how much we’re going to miss him. He was part of the fabric of Hampstead.

“And so going out now, there’s an emptiness. There’s a cloud there.”

Chris, known as Dougie among school friends, was the youngest of three children: Harry, Sid and Christella. They grew up on the Regent’s Park Estate and they moved to Queen’s Crescent when he was 12. Chris attended Netley Primary School and then what is now Regent High School.

He later moved to Hampstead, where he and his brothers, and mother Georgia live. In his 20s, Chris worked at the famous hardware shop Frank Romany in Camden Town.

He later worked in the music business, became his mother’s carer and was friends with seemingly everyone in the area – from the staff at Tesco to the baristas at Tania’s cafe. Joanna Jenkinson knew Chris for 30 years.

They met as children when they were both living in Lenham, Queen’s Crescent.

Three decades later they reconnected when they were once again living opposite each other, this time in Hampstead.

Ms Jenkinson said: “Last year when my dad died I went to the Royal Free and Chris was outside the hospital. He knew my dad was dying and he said ‘you’ll be all right’. He was always there to support you during the awful moments in your life. He was always asking after everyone in the family. He’s gone to Heaven with everyone’s stories because everyone felt they could talk to him. He was very calm, gentle and funny. You’d always come away feeling better than you did before you spoke to him.”

Stephen Brooks met Chris two years ago when he walked past his famous bench and they got talking about music.

Mr Brooks said: “He was just an ordinary working-class fella who sat on the bench and started talking to people who sat down. It just grew and grew. He was an excellent raconteur.”

Ms Carpenter fondly recalled their walks around the Heath’s pergola, which they did right up until he died, and chatting about spirituality in Hampstead Parish Church graveyard.

She said: “He had a very strong faith and he would pray about five times a day. However, he was very open-minded and wasn’t pious. He was mischievous as well, so you could have a real laugh with him and he’d really get it.”

Harry Christodoulou added: “The family wants to thank everybody for the lovely tributes and flowers on his bench. “Chris believed in Jesus Christ, and he’s now with Jesus in paradise.”