Christopher Sean Condon

UPTON-Christopher Sean Condon, 46, husband of Meghan (O’Neil) and father to Cameron and Claire, passed away on January 30, 2023, after a brief illness.

Spend more than one minute with Chris, and you would hear about Cam and Claire. You would know their favorite players and latest exploits; what they wanted to be, and how proud he was of them for just being themselves. Chris worked to make the world better for Cam and Claire because they made the world better for him. They were his everything; they are the perfect amalgamation of Chris and Meghan.

Chris met Meghan in 2005 when he showed up at the State House in his never-ending quest to improve the lives of SEIU members. Meghan O’Neil worked for Senator Spilka, and her wit, intelligence, and beauty nearly made Chris forget what he came to talk about. Chris and Meghan married in 2008 and Cam and Claire followed in short order.

Much of their family time was spent attending practices or games. Chris loved coaching but he loved coaching his kids more than anything else. Between sports seasons the Condons traveled, finding time to see as much of the country and the world as they could; to take in all the beauty, and spot new ways to make things better.

Because Chris cared about the world, and about you, even if you never met him. He had your back. Chris pushed for you to earn more, and for your right to paid family medical leave. He fought to protect your social workers, and mental health professionals, and childcare teachers, and everyone who works hard so that Massachusetts works, period.

To stand beside him was a privilege and a comfort. You knew Chris would be with you every step of the way, no matter how hard the task, or how daunting the challenge. To stand opposed was just a matter of time. You knew Chris would never give up, but also that he would argue with passion, disagree with respect, and shake your hand when it was over.

Chris loved politics: the strategy, the craft, the data, the gamesmanship. He loved the labor movement and its ideals. He loved to talk and to laugh. He loved baseball, his card collection, his fantasy teams, and the Red Sox. He loved coaching basketball and taking his kids to the Celtics. He loved his kids.

Born on April 10, 1976, Chris was the son of Ronald and Bridget (O’Keefe) Condon of Brunswick, ME. He moved to Worcester in 1994 to attend Clark University and stayed in Massachusetts for good.

After graduation, Chris worked on campaigns and became a key player in the Massachusetts labor movement. He joined SEIU 509 in 2000 and led the organization’s political and legislative efforts for 20 years, working tirelessly on behalf of nearly 20,000 human service workers and educators throughout the Commonwealth. Chris played an essential role in passing legislation allowing home family childcare providers to join a union, protecting collective bargaining for public sector employees, securing the $15 per hour minimum wage, and implementing statewide paid family and medical leave.

He knocked doors and campaigned relentlessly for progressive candidates across the state, canvassing on behalf of or alongside a legion of current and former political leaders in Massachusetts. Scan the rolodexes of virtually every leading Democratic official and you will find Chris’s name. Whether they were running for Governor, Senator, School Committee or Selectman, if they asked for help Chris was there.

Chris added an array of subtitles to his life’s work over the years. He safeguarded public retiree benefits for fifteen years as a board member for the Massachusetts State Board of Retirement; he earned a master’s degree in survey research from the University of Connecticut and polled tens of thousands of residents through his own research firm; and he hit the phones himself and sold ads for MASSterlist, the daily newsletter of the State House News service. In 2022, after two full decades at SEIU, Chris branched out on his own with his friend Jay Cincotti to form The CinCon Group, putting all his skills to use on behalf of those who needed him most – especially if they were from Worcester.

Even after the Condon family moved into a new house in Upton, Chris called his adopted City of Worcester home. He forever raved about the city’s diversity and potential. In Worcester he fell in love with politics, campaigned for office, and found a calling to community service. For 25 years Chris coached basketball at St. Peter’s, shaping entire generations of Worcester kids into arguably better players and undeniably better people.

In addition to his wife, children, and parents, Chris leaves behind his brother Jonathan, his wife Katelyn, and their two children. 

Visiting Hours for family and friends will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023, from 4 – 7 p.m. with a Service of Rememberance at 7pm at Callahan Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester.

Few people in this world touch so many lives in so short, too short, a time. Chris Condon was truly one of a kind. We will miss his laugh, his joy, his heart, and, above all, his passion for his family and for all of us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sports Activity Fund at St. Peter's Church, 931 Main St., Worcester, 01610.