Title
Honoring and celebrating the life and memory of our friend and colleague, Robert “Chris” Goy, II.
Body
WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia joins family and friends in honoring and celebrating the life and memory of Chris Goy, who left his loved ones too soon. Chris leaves behind an enduring legacy as a son, husband, and dedicated public servant in the City of Philadelphia. He leaves to mourn his parents, Sandra and Robert; husband, Alex; and a host of family and friends throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, Chris was born on April 12, 1987, and grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chris was a beloved member of his community, who dedicated his time to uplifting the youth as a proud Big Brother and long-time volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Philadelphia. He was an avid rower, pet lover, and fashion enthusiast who always looked his best. Chris was a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and used his voice to advocate for acceptance and inclusion. He also had a love for science fiction, particularly Star Trek; and
WHEREAS, Chris was incredibly bright and talented. He graduated high school with the highest SAT scores in all of New Mexico and subsequently attended Wesleyan University. There he earned his BA in Political Science and Government. He was a proud member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity, serving as president during his time at Wesleyan. Chris continued his education and received his Master's Degree in Public Administration at the University of Pennsylvania, while serving as a Graduate Assistant to Councilmember Jim Kenney; and
WHEREAS, Chris came to City Council in 2012 and joined the Council President’s Technical Staff in 2015. He authored Philadelphia's LGBTQIA+ Equality bill and was the mastermind behind City Council's reestablishment of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. He worked on countless initiatives and pieces of legislation, including the Anti-Poverty Taskforce and the Community Schools Initiative. He left Philadelphia for Jefferson County, WA to take a position as Deputy County Administrator and Central Services Director in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Chris’ dedication to public service was notable and admirable. He was inspired to become involved in politics and government by his grandfather and hero, who served as a City Manager. The contributions Chris made to Philadelphia are immeasurable, working hard to address the many social issues faced by the city. He was tireless in his devotion to finding solutions to poverty and its impact on Philadelphia residents. His contributions to City Council and public policy were nothing short of outstanding; and
WHEREAS, Chris was an incredible colleague, and we are grateful to have had the honor and privilege of working with him. He brought a level of joy and energy that was infectious and uplifted those he worked with. He served as a role model and inspiration to those that he mentored through the Graduate Policy Fellowship and is responsible for motivating countless young people. Chris was always ready, willing, and exceedingly able to lend a hand to assist his co-workers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Honors and celebrates the life and memory of our friend and colleague, Robert “Chris” Goy.
End