Harry C. Christensen Jr., a Marblehead native, decorated Vietnam War veteran, attorney and public servant, died on April 20, leaving behind a legacy of service to both his country and community. He was 78.
A lifelong devotee to Marblehead, many characterized Christensen as a man known for his unwavering dedication to his hometown, his candid war stories that captivated high school students and his ability to maintain friendships across political divides.
Wounded in war, devoted to public service
Christensen, born on Sept. 29, 1946, graduated from Marblehead High School in 1965 before enlisting in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He served as a tank commander and received multiple honors, including the Silver Star For gallantry in action and two Purple Hearts, after being seriously wounded during an ambush by North Vietnamese forces on Jan. 24, 1968.
“Combat is a horrible, horrible thing,” Christensen told Marblehead High School students during one of his many classroom visits, as reported in a 2015 Marblehead Reporter article. “It scares the bejesus out of you.
His military career ended abruptly when he was blown off his tank after it was hit by enemy fire. He suffered approximately 14 bullet and shrapnel wounds while everyone else in his tank was killed. The injuries and trauma would affect him for the rest of his life.
Bill Conly, a longtime friend, remembered Christensen suffered physically throughout his life from his Vietnam wounds.
“Shrapnel periodically came to the surface and could get infected,” Conly said, referring to shrapnel that remained in Christensen’s body decades after the war.
A teacher first
After returning home, Christensen completed his education, earning his bachelor’s degree from Salem State College (now University), a master of education from Boston College and a juris doctor from Suffolk University Law School.
Before embarking on his legal career, Christensen spent 13 years as a special education teacher in the Danvers Public Schools, bringing his characteristic passion and dedication to students with diverse learning needs. Colleagues remember his patience and advocacy for students who struggled in traditional classroom settings.
Richard Santeusanio, former Danvers school superintendent and Christensen’s close friend, was his supervisor during some of his teaching years. Their professional relationship evolved into a friendship that spanned nearly five decades.
“He was very genuine. He was a Marbleheader throughout, and he professed to be a strong Header and always supporting the town,” Santeusanio said. “He worked hard for the town, did a lot for the town.”
After his teaching career, Christensen established a local family law practice that he maintained for more than 40 years.
Public service became Christensen’s hallmark as he served multiple terms on the Marblehead Select Board, totaling over 20 years.
Known affectionately as “Buddy” to those familiar with his Marblehead roots, Christensen also served as Shellfish Constable, a longtime Rotarian member and dedicated himself to numerous community organizations. In 2007, Christensen received the Frank Regan Community Service Award from the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce.
Pam Peterson, chair of the Marblehead Historical Commission, reflected on Christensen’s 20 years with the commission.
“He worked to establish the Maritime Museum in Abbot Hall and worked to restore the Sanborn Sleigh now on exhibit in the auditorium,” Peterson said.
Christensen was known for his occasional resistance to state interference in town affairs, sometimes questioning, “What does the state have to do with Marblehead?” — a quote that Conley noted was a reference to a historic Town Meeting comment from nearly a century ago.
“His stance on issues and his attitude always reflected his love for Marblehead,” said Jackie Belf-Becker, who served alongside Christensen on the Select Board. “He was a gentleman and very funny.”
Belf-Becker added, “Harry taught me that you could disagree on issues but still be good friends. His instinct as a lawyer was always present and he taught me much about interpersonal relations.”
Carrying memory, inspiring others
English teacher Jenn Billings invited Christensen to speak to her junior English classes for over a decade after they read Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried,” a novel about the Vietnam War experience.
“As a graduate of Marblehead High School himself, Harry spoke about being drafted, being terrified and being a tank commander who saw men lose their lives every single day,” Billings said. “He was honest and relevant, looking my kids in the eye as he shared the horrors of war, disconnection and the return of humanity.”
Christensen believed in giving students “something real” to supplement what they read in books.
Beyond town government and education, Christensen remained deeply connected to veterans’ affairs. He served multiple terms as commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post and one term as district commander. When Marblehead received its Purple Heart Community designation, he expressed appreciation for the recognition of all wounded veterans.
“It’s nice to have the town recognize us, not just me, but the others that were wounded in combat,” Christensen said during the ceremony.
Christensen spoke candidly about the hostility Vietnam veterans faced upon returning home, recalling being called a “baby killer” despite never having harmed civilians. He grew his hair long and tried to blend in during that period, but later welcomed the shift in public sentiment when people began thanking him for his service.
Throughout his life, Christensen had said he carried both the visible and invisible wounds of war. He spoke of carrying “hate, sorrow, survivor’s guilt” from his combat experience, but concluded that “mostly we carried each other” — a sentiment that reflected his lifelong commitment to community service.
Honoring fellow Marines
Christensen also took personal care of the Duncan Sleigh memorial, a stone plaque at the base of the old Marblehead High School honoring 2nd Lt. Duncan Sleigh, a Dartmouth graduate and Marine platoon commander who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross after sacrificing his life to save fellow Marines in Vietnam. Christensen, himself a Marine veteran, and his family has seen to it that the site remained respectfully maintained and that Sleigh’s story was shared with younger generations.
Santeusanio emphasized Christensen’s commitment to veterans. “He was a Marine through and through. He was wonderful. Somebody had to give the message to the young people. And he was a good person to do it.”
Seeking justice for a forgotten case
In 2018, Christensen reluctantly withdrew from the Select Board race after receiving medical advice from the Veterans Administration not to travel or leave his home due to immune system concerns, the Marblehead Reporter reported.
That same health guidance, though disappointing at the time, ultimately opened the door to a personal milestone: publishing a book he had long wanted to write. Later in life, Christensen fulfilled that goal by co-authoring “A Murder in Marblehead” with Santeusanio. The book, featured in a 2022 Marblehead Current article, investigated the unsolved 1950 murder of Marblehead teacher Beryl Atherton — a case Christensen had researched for more than 40 years.
“But old age and my Vietnam wounds have just curtailed that for me,” Christensen said in the 2022 article. “It was the perfect time for me to be able to meet with Richard, my best man and my best friend, to get this done – finally!”
When asked about Christensen’s fascination with the Atherton case, Santeusanio told the Marblehead Current, “He just thought he should set the record straight.” He further sourced his intrigue to Christensen writing a college paper on the infamous case.
Known for his love of Marblehead and frequently using the local saying “Down Bucket,” Christensen was, as his family wrote in his obituary, “a lifelong Header who never wanted to be far from Marblehead Rock.”
Christensen is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marsha; his sons Andrew and wife Trista, and Matthew and his wife Laura; and three grandchildren Eliza, Donovan and Mac Christensen. He is also survived by his brother Henry Christensen and his wife Debbie; his sisters Laura Best and her husband Jeffrey; Rae Weed and her husband Allan and Linda Mills and her husband Mark.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, May 2, from 4-8 p.m. at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. Burial with U.S. Marine Corps and VFW honors will take place Saturday, May 3, at 9:30 a.m. at Waterside Cemetery, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Old North Church, 35 Washington St.
Leigh Blander contributed reporting.
