LYNN — The Demakes Family YMCA dedicated its indoor track earlier this month to former St. Mary’s student Christopher P. Oesterlin, who died suddenly on Dec. 13, 2019 at the age of 28.
Oesterlin, whose father Phil worked for the Lynn YMCA for 32 years, attended St. Mary’s Junior High School and then St. John’s Prep High School in Danvers.
He began his running career at St. Mary’s and carried it over to St. John’s Prep where he was a member of the cross-country and indoor and outdoor track teams, serving as captain of all three in his senior year.
While at St. John’s Prep, he was a three-time letter winner in cross-country and track; a 2009 state champion for the 4×800; a 2010 state champion for the 1,000; and indoor track team MVP in 2010.
Oesterlin later went on to attend Bucknell University where he ran for the cross-country and indoor and outdoor track teams.
Throughout his time at Bucknell, he set records, won championships and ranked in the top ten in the program’s history for multiple events.
Oesterline graduated from Bucknell University with dual degrees in history and political science. He was also a first-year law school student at New England Law in Boston.
“The YMCA has been our family for over 32 years and we are extremely honored they chose to dedicate the indoor track in memory of Christopher,” said Pam Oesterlin, Christopher’s mother. “We hope those using it will share in the same love and enjoyment for running as he did. We owe a great deal of gratitude to everyone at the Y who made the dedication event incredibly special.”
Oesterlin was said to be known for his workout regimen and loved biking, swimming and the outdoors. He also enjoyed history, movies, country music, plays and the annual tradition of the Christmas at the Pops concert. He is also remembered as loving his friends, cousins, teammates and coaches.
“The Oesterlin’s are a huge part of the YMCA of Metro North family,” said Kathleen Walsh, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metro North. “We are grateful to Pam and Phil for allowing us to honor Christopher in this way.”
