Christopher Cook Gilmore, one of the legends of the expatriate American writer scene in Paris, died at 12:30 PM on June 29th, 2004. He passed away peacefully in the arms of his longtime love and new wife, Anita, after a 2 month fight with a brain tumor at the young age of 63.
Chris spent decades passing through Paris, usually staying at George Whitman's Shakespeare and Company bookshop as the visiting "writer-in-residence". Few who passed by there when Chris was in town were not captivated by his charm, wit, and humor. As he voyaged the world, whether summering in Fez, or forgetting a few weeks while in Amsterdam, Chris would always come to Paris to do a reading of one of his latest books or articles, or the latest additions to his ever-growing long song to the French capital, the poem "The Paris Blues".
The images of Chris, his long curly hair flowing past a narrow tied bandana, up on a table top reciting his verse as those around marveled at his painted fingernails and powerful delivery, will forever be etched in memory.
Chris was born in 1940 and grew up in Margate, New Jersey. Chris was a Margate resident for life, although he did graduate from "Suntan U", the University of Miami. He worked a brief stint for the Associated Press, and then went on to write magazine articles and finally novels, including "Atlantic City Proof" and "Hoover and the Kennedys".
Few who encountered Chris did not know of his love of the ocean and boating. His wooden Garvey was his pride and joy, though he did play with a Hobie Cat in his boat collection.
He will be missed. He's survived by wife Anita, sister Shuler, and his mother, Margot.