Christopher Steven Soulsby, born December 25, 1967, passed away on Monday February 23, 2026 after a 15-month battle with cancer.

Chris was an old soul who loved the simple things in life: sitting outside with a cup of coffee on a cool morning, listening to a train in the distance, walking in the woods, strumming his guitar on a rainy afternoon – peace and joy were often found in simplicity. He was also someone who handled life’s troubles quietly and to himself, always with a smile on his face. To offer help or a kind word was his nature, always paying it forward without an expectation of something in return.

Chris had many diverse skills, interests and hobbies throughout the years. He was a Harley rider, nature lover, motorcycle racer, mechanical wizard; founding member, referee, coach and announcer of the Rubber City Rollergirls; model train enthusiast, traveler, songwriter and musician, to name a few.

Chris and his wife Tracy had many travels together throughout the years, which always seemed to take them off the beaten path. Some of the trips that seemed to spark the most conversations of “Do you remember that time?” and “Wasn’t that so cool?” included exploring the lava fields in Hawaii, watching the sun set from above the clouds on Mauna Kea, experiencing the magic of the northern lights in Alaska, seeing the glaciers of Iceland and walking its black sand beaches, and standing on either side of the prime meridian in Greenwich, England, before heading to a Van Morrison and Jeff Beck show later that evening. But by far, some of their most cherished memories were of their many trips to FloydFest and to Floyd, Virginia, a tiny musical town they discovered by accident and grew to love.

Chris strived to be the best he could be in everything he did - always researching, practicing and honing skills, no matter what challenge he tackled or hobby he pursued. Nowhere is this more evident than with his music. Chris began his musical journey as a child. The times he spent with an elderly uncle who played music sparked his own interest in playing music, and when he was ten years old his mother encouraged him to begin taking guitar lessons. Over the years Chris became an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, which afforded him the opportunity to compete in the International Blues Challenge three times, and to play live on Beale Street in Memphis and on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Chris was at his happiest when he was playing music, and he loved performing live and being part of the local music community.

Chris would want to be remembered not only as a good musician, but as someone who persevered, who never gave up, and who always gave his best no matter what life threw at him. He will live on through his music, as well as through the memories of his family, his friends and his many coworkers and colleagues throughout the years, most recently in his position as Engineering Manager at Paarlo Plastics.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Stuart and Mary Soulsby. He is survived by his wife, Tracy. He is also survived by his cousin and best friend, Jon Kopsky (Leah) and their grandson Bryce (“Roo”); as well as many other cousins and relatives.

A celebration of Chris’ life will be held on Sunday May 17, 2026 from 3pm – 7pm at Happy Days Lodge, 500 W. Streetsboro St., Peninsula, OH 44264. More details will be announced at a later date.

If I Don’t Wake Up Tomorrow

If I don’t wake up tomorrow
Will you still remember me?
Or will my memory just fade away, like a ship sailing out to sea

If I don’t wake up tomorrow
Everything will be OK
I will be there if you need me to, all you gotta do is call my name

So if I don’t wake up tomorrow
Everything will be just fine
I will be there to watch over you, and I will love you ‘til the end of time

So if I don’t wake up tomorrow
Will you still remember me?
Or will my memory just fade away, like a ship sailing out to sea
Like a ship sailing out to sea

Written and recorded by Christopher Soulsby
Copyright 2019