Christopher John Niver earned his heavenly reward on December 11, 2025. Christopher was born on May 11, 1971 in Lockport, NY. He is the son of Molly (Hayden) Ingraham and the late Thomas (Alma) Niver.

Chris grew up in the north end of Lockport. The childhood memories he shared sounded more like a 1980s movie script than real life. His childhood friends and their time together made a long-lasting impact on the trajectory of Chris’s life.

Christopher was a graduate of Lockport Senior High School Class of 1989. He went on to Canisius College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education and received his master’s degree in physical education from Suny Brockport.

Chris worked for the Lockport City School District for 33 years teaching physical education at Charlotte Cross Elementary School and then George Southard Elementary School. A highlight of Chris’s career was transforming the gymnasium into a Halloween Wonderland for his students. This tradition made lasting memories for the many students he taught throughout his career. Chris’s teaching methods included humor, movie quotes, and elaborate stories that children enjoyed sharing with their families around dinner tables, parties, and other gatherings. In addition, Chris coached the Lockport High School boys’ volleyball team for 18 years. During that time, the team had many victories and successes. Chris was also the Elementary School Physical Education Department Chairperson. He advocated to develop curriculum and plan instruction that encouraged students to have healthy, active lifestyles. He was an involved Lockport Education Association Union member, serving as a Union Representative for six years in addition to being on other various committees.

Chris was a talented man. His artistic energies were put into woodworking, landscaping, and home design projects. He was a perfectionist to a fault and made sure everything he created was done to the highest standard. Chris was also a lifelong, avid Buffalo Bills fan. He enjoyed science fiction novels, movies, and television series. Golfing, fishing, and other outdoor activities were some of his favorite past-times. He loved spending his summer days in his beautiful backyard.

Chris’s whit was unmatched. Everyone that knew him was forced to pay close attention to his stories and comments because there was always a twist of humor that you didn’t want to miss.

Christopher met the love of his life Teresa (Giancola) Niver at a Lockport Education Association gathering. Their connection was instant and they went on to marry on November 12, 2011. While their marriage was forced to endure many trials; their love, strength, and faith made them the perfect team. Their love was evident to all that knew them.

In addition to his wife, mother, and step-mother Chris is survived by his in-laws Sam and Maralynn Giancola, his brother and sister-in-law DJ and Ashley (Gleason) Giancola, his nieces Gianna and Adrianna Giancola, two sisters Michelle (Michael) Ford and Heather Dube and their children, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He also leaves behind his cherished and loving dogs Charlotte and Ramona.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation Tuesday, December 16th from 4-7 PM at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, December 17th at 10 AM at St. John the Baptist RC Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport. Please assemble at the church. Interment will be held in Cold Springs Cemetery.

It would be Chris’s greatest honor that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation in Memory of Christopher Niver to benefit Kidney Cancer Research.

Checks payable to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation: memo line; Christopher Niver Kidney Cancer Research. Rowell Park Alliance Foundation P.O. Box 631 Buffalo, NY 14240 or please use the following link: https://give.roswellpark.org/site/Donation2?df_id=4341&4341.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&s_src=General_LO_2022_DonForm&s_subsrc=05DONATEPAGEBUTTON