Christopher Robert Lacey

LACEY, CHRISTOPHER ROBERT, 32, EXECUTIVE CHEF AND PROPRIETOR OF JACK'S STEAKHOUSE IN BALDWIN PARK, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, in Winter Park, Florida.

Born in Orlando, Chris spent most of his life in Central Florida where he led a very happy, active and vigorous life. A graduate of the Johnson and Wales' College of Culinary Arts in Miami and a 2006 recipient of its Emeril Lagasse Award, Chris was the always charming and entertaining Executive Chef at Jack's Steakhouse in Baldwin Park. Prior to Jack's he worked as Executive Chef for Austral Latin Fusion in Lake Mary as well as several five-star restaurants in South Florida. Chris received a B.A. from the University of Florida, was a graduate of the Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, and attended Winter Park High School.

Jack's was his true passion and it was never far from Chris's heart. He was a fixture behind the line creating fantastic food with a big smile and an unstoppable sense of humor. Chris poured his soul into Jack's, turning it into a fantastic and hospitable destination that he was always eager to share with guests, family and friends alike.

A natural athlete, Chris was equally at home snow-boarding in Big Sky, Montana, as he was playing golf, lacrosse, soccer or wake boarding back in his childhood home of Winter Park. Although his spirit was competitive, his soul bore a character tempered by compassion for those he met throughout his life. Always one to put others before himself, his kind heart abounded with empathy and he never hesitated to call someone "friend".

Chris is survived by his Mother, Lisa and his Father, Robert, both of Winter Park; Grandmother, Jeanne Asher, of Orlando; Preceded in death by; his Brother Ryan, Grandfather Robert Asher and Grandparents Les and Laura; Uncle Todd Gunderson and Cousin Clark Gunderson.

A funeral service will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in College Park, 249 Westmoreland Drive, Orlando, where Chris was a member and sang in the youth choir, on August 9, 2014 at 12:00 noon.

As those who knew him will recall, Chris was a dedicated supporter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and donated his time and food to its mission and events. Accordingly, in lieu of flowers, the family requests, donations may be made to the Christopher Lacey Memorial Fund at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid Florida Chapter, 2701 Maitland Center Parkway, Suite 100, Maitland, Florida 32751. The Memorial Fund will support youth programs organized by the Chapter including "Teen Expression," a day-long workshop for teens in Florida, ages 13 to 17, who have multiple sclerosis, or, who are living with a parent, grandparent, or guardian who has MS.

www. nationalmssociety.org/goto/chrislaceymemorialfund