Marblehead’s Piper remembered in new edition of community phonebook

MARBLEHEAD – Residents in Marblehead today will begin receiving their community phonebook for the 27th year, but may notice something different this time around.Instead of just a picture of one of the town’s landmarks or Marblehead Neck, this year’s phonebook honors the life of one of Marblehead’s true heroes, Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, who was 43 when he was killed in Afghanistan in June 2005 from wounds sustained by an IED in Orgun-E while on patrol.Inside the phonebook is a letter from its publisher, Bill Fanaras, who writes, “This book, like all the books we publish, will probably be recycled in a year. For now we’d like to help our readers remember all of those who serve in harm’s way; especially Chris Piper who gave his life for our country and our way of life. So rather than mourn this warrior’s death, let us warmly remember him as a father, son, brother, uncle and friend.”Fanaras, who served in Special Forces as did Piper, said he came up with the idea of honoring Piper last summer after talking to Piper’s sister, Lisa.”We have been doing the Marblehead phonebook for years and I thought it was time to make it more personal this time around,” Fanaras said. “(The people who are killed in the war) are all too soon forgotten. At least the phonebook will be around for a year to help people remember Chris Piper.”The phonebook has a few short stories from friends of Piper and those who served with him as well as pictures of Piper.A lifelong friend of Piper’s, Tim Donahue, said it was almost impossible to sum up a man like Piper in a few paragraphs that are published in the phonebook but said, “I will always remember and cherish his humor. He was one of the funniest (people) I have ever met. His smile was ear to ear and his laugh, man I can still hear his laugh. He had the worst Scottish brogue but I loved to hear it. I’m proud to say I was part of his inner circle of friends along with Ron Knight and John ‘Pie’ Morris.”I want people to look back and reflect and never forget him,” Donahue said. “We try to keep his name out there as much as possible and this is one more way to help keep his memory alive.”Knight, who was unable to attend Piper’s funeral because of his own deployment said, “I felt it was necessary to contribute because here was a man who was the real deal. He was proud of his service as he was proud of his country,” Knight said. “Pie (Morris), Cubby (Donahue) and I were part of the inner circle, we had that kind of relationship that we never had to speak every day or every week. When we did it was like we never lost a beat, that is the sign of true friendship.”