My dad, Chris Munafo, was more than just a successful professional- he was our family's rock, our comedian, our adventurer, and our biggest supporter. And today, I want to share his story, not just for who he was, but to honor the strength he showed in the face of an incredibly difficult diagnoses: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).
Dad was born and raised in Springfield, Pennsylvania, by his loving old-school Italian parents, Joe and Eleanor. As the youngest of four, having three older sisters, he was consistent in saying this prepared him for raising four daughters of his own. He and my mom, Rosemarie, shared a devoted relationship and marriage for nearly 35 years, and the love between them is something I hope to find in my own life someday. They held such a deep respect and understanding of one another, it was as if they had their own language. Along with being a loving husband, he was also a proud and supportive father of Melissa, Taylor, Kristen, and me (Julie).
Prior to getting married and starting a family of his own, Dad went to Susquehanna University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics, and later continued his professional development at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Executive Education program, completing the Securities Industry Institute®. Education is something he highly valued, not just formal degrees, but learning from life, experience, and people. Dad believed that real change in a community begins in the classroom. To him, education is the foundation for progress, and when you invest in learning and sharing your knowledge, you’re not just shaping individual futures, you’re uplifting entire communities. For Dad, knowledge isn’t just power, it’s the spark that fuels growth, connection, and lasting impact.
He started his career in finance in 1985 and poured his heart into every role he held at Janney Montgomery Scott, from Financial Advisor to Regional Manager, and eventually as Senior Vice President and Director of the Private Client Group. Most recently, he served as a Senior Wealth Planning Associate, using his decades of experience to guide others with the same integrity and thoughtfulness he brings to everything in life.
But behind the titles and the business suits is the man we knew and love.
Dad had an incredible way of lighting up and commanding any room he was in. His laugh is silly, contagious, completely authentic, and it fills our home with warmth and love. His quick wit never missed a beat and his mastered sarcasm could easily go undetected. He was always the one at the head of the table, raising his glass to toast even the smallest of joys. He was the heart of our gatherings, the one telling jokes that have us in tears, lifting our moods, and reminding us how good it feels to really laugh together.
And when he was not cracking jokes, he was out chasing adventure. Whether it was steering his dad’s boat back in the day with his best friend Steve (or as I’ve always known him, Uncle Steve), zooming across the bay on his jet ski, or cruising on his motorcycle with the wind at his back, he brought an undeniable energy to everything he did. That same passion shows up just as vividly during a round of mini-golf with his Grandsons, Tyler & Memphis, and Son-in-law, Sean. And I cannot forget the thrill he got from lively games of Rummy with Mom- always with a Manhattan in hand (up, no bitters). Mom usually ended up winning, of course. I’m pretty sure that’s how the “winner puts the game away” rule originated... classic Dad logic.
Dad’s passions extended well beyond play as he has an incredible gift for building homes, along with a sharp eye for real estate and architecture in places like OCNJ, Chadds Ford, PA, and Haddonfield, NJ. Some of our favorite memories are weekends spent walking through properties with him, listening as he expertly pointed out the “bones of a house” and walked us through his vision for a new space. Dad spoke of these properties with such excitement that you couldn’t help but get excited too.
Through all of his career advancements and hobbies, my mom has been right there by his side, helping with the projects, managing the chaos, and holding us all together with love and strength. She’s the glue that keeps us together, and the quiet force that has supported my dad, and all of us still to this day. Somehow in the middle of everything, Mom still finds time to cook meals that are hands down the best you’ll ever taste (if you know, you know).
In recent months, though, life took a turn. We noticed a few shifts in Dad. Moments of forgetfulness, physical changes and falls, and confusion. After seemingly endless appointments, tests and ER visits, doctors concluded something that none of us were ready to hear: at just 64 years old, Dad was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As his condition worsened at an astonishingly rapid rate, our family was not fully convinced it was the proper diagnosis. After a lengthy and more thorough stay at Pennsylvania Hospital, on June 13th, 2025 the doctors reevaluated Dad and officially diagnosed him with CJD.
That day, the doctors made us aware that there is no cure for CJD. Though it’s an incredibly rare disease, the limited research we have makes one thing clear: it is universally fatal. As we slowly came to understand what that meant, he continued to show us just how strong he truly was.
On August 28th, 2025, dad lost his battle with this cruel disease. He faced it the way he faced everything in life- with courage, grace, and heart. Even in the hardest moments, he still found ways to make us laugh.
Our family has rallied around one goal: to fight back. We’re raising funds to support research into CJD, Alzheimer’s, and brain health because we believe in a future where no family has to experience what we have. A future with better treatments. A future with cures.
If you knew dad, you know how much he gave to his colleagues, his community, and most of all, to us. Now, we want to give back in his name.
Please consider donating in honor of Chris Munafo. Help us fight for him and for every family walking this same path.
With love and endless gratitude,
Julie Munafo & Family
