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Outdoorsman Christian Denninger Of Bethel Dies, 21

BETHEL, Conn. -- Christian Johannes Denninger  of Bethel died on Jan. 27 in New Hampshire in "the woods that always brought him peace."

Christian Denninger of Bethel.

Christian Denninger of Bethel.

Photo Credit: Contributed

He was born April 1, 1996 and spent his summers on Cape Cod. He graduated Bethel High School in 2014 and was currently a senior at Keene State College, majoring in Communications. At BHS he was a thrower for the Track & Field team. 

He was chosen as captain his senior year. While at Keene, he started and ran his own antiques business, Red Truck Antiques, going to various shows and flea markets, as well as having his own Etsy shop and Instagram account of the same name. Christian also contributed to the fly fishing blog, BlogFlyFish.com.

Christian loved music, whether he was playing, listening or dancing to it, enjoyed writing, reading, drawing, could talk about sports of all kinds and, of course, loved hanging out with family and friends.

His great passion, however, was the outdoors. The time he spent in the woods, at the rivers and ponds and the ocean was his happiest. He had no greater sidekick and partner in this passion than his brother, Robert. They spent countless hours on great explorations, imaginative creations, wild treks and quiet times. 

They were often joined by an awesome gang of cousins and friends in Bethel and in Wellfleet. If Christian and Robert could fish together every day, life would be perfect. It was a love started with their dad, who took them out and about when they were young with simply a rod, a reel, a bobber and a can of corn. Robert stuck with the bobber, but Christian picked up the art of fly fishing and immersed himself into every aspect of it, making great friends along the way.

Born on April Fool’s Day, Christian had a wicked sense of humor, the quickest wit and he could light up a room or your day with his smile and laugh. He also had a rare insight on life and everything in it. He touched many different lives in many different ways .

Christian is survived by his parents,  Robert V. Denninger, Jr. and Barbara (Kukuc) Denninger and his brother, Robert V. Denninger lll; his grandmothers, Rose Kukuc and Peggy Denninger; his godparents, Robin Denninger, Gerri Hirshey and Mark Zwonitzer; his uncles John and Chris (Laura); and his cousins, Sam and Lila Zwonitzer and Sydney and Haley Denninger; as well as many others in our extended families. 

 He was predeceased by his grandfathers, John Kukuc and Robert V. Denninger (the original!) and his Uncle D – Don Kukuc.

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