Christopher Jerome "CJ" Witkowski, 64 of Lusby, MD passed away on June 20, 2010

CJ was born January 9, 1946 in Muskegon, Michigan to Terry and Theodore Witkowski. He was the eldest of seven children.

After graduating high school, CJ attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1969 majoring in Biological Science and Earth Science, with a minor in Physical Education. He planned to follow in his father's footsteps and become a teacher.

Following Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL, CJ received a commission and entered Flight Training as an Ensign in the US Navy. He received his wings in March of 1970 and took his first flight in an A-6A Intruder in August of 1970. The Navy and Vietnam was a life experience which laid the foundation for everything he became. During the 20 months he spent in Vietnam, he flew 250 combat missions aboard the USS Midway. Upon returning to the States in 1973, he realized he no longer wanted to teach school but would instead make a career of Naval Aviation.

CJ went from flying as Bombardier Navigator in A-6A/E Intruders to, as CJ referred, "flying a desk in the Pentagon" as a program Resource Sponsor. CJ spent 8 years in the Washington DC area before retiring in 1992 as a Navy Commander with a weapons acquisition background. He began his second career in 1992 when he joined a very small government contractor company named Brandes Associates, Inc, He has remained with BAI ever since and was currently serving as a Program Manager for the development of Aviation Mission Planning Software.

Over the years CJ has used his dry sense of humor, much like his mother, to make many, many friends amongst the variety of people he met. Anyone who knew CJ adored his quick wit and loved his zest for life. He always had time to tell a joke (which was always funnier to him than anyone else), offer sage advice, and be a father figure and confidant to those closest to him. CJ married Jeanette Redman Wheeler at Holy Face Church in Great Mills, MD on October 1, 2005 and resided on Scotland Cove just off St. Leonard's Creek in White Sands, MD CJ spent the past several years traveling, sailing, fishing, and golfing with his wife and family.

He is survived by his wife Jeanette and three children; Chadwick Witkowski, (Jenifer), Jeremy Witkowski, (Lauren), and step-son Jonathan Wheeler. He is also survived by his 3 grandchildren who were the light of his life; Kellianne, Brandon, and Benjamin Witkowski. CJ adored his grandchildren and loved spending time with them. Siblings; Ruth Ellen Wyant of Coopersville, MI, Elissa Simon of Marlborough, CT, Mark Witkowski of Battle Creek, MI, John Witkowski, of Holland, MI, Theodore Witkowski of Holland, MI, and brother-in-law Thomas Deja of Grand Rapids, MI, aunts and uncles; Gloria and Bob Thompson of North Muskegon, MI, Lowell Moore of Ludington, MI and Gwen Roberts of Ortonville, MI In addition to his parents CJ was preceded in death by his sister Ann Deja and step-son Charles Wheeler.

Family will receive friends for CJ's Life Celebration on Thursday, June 24, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with prayers recited at 7 p.m. in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, MD, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 25, 2010 at 11 a.m. with Father Joseph Sileo officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in memory of CJ's late sister, (Ann Deja) to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, 6520 Platt Ave. #693, West Hills, CA 91307.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.