This story was adapted from a Town of Harrisburg news release.
Harrisburg Councilman Chris Faw, a longtime resident who spent years serving the community before being elected to the Town Council in 2023, has died. He was 64.
The Town of Harrisburg announced Faw’s death Thursday, remembering him as a dedicated public servant whose involvement in the community extended well beyond his time in elected office.
Faw and his wife, Cathy, moved to the Harrisburg area nearly 30 years ago, where they raised their two children. Over the years, Faw became increasingly involved in the community he and his family called home.
“I am heartbroken by the loss of my friend and colleague. Chris was not just a member of our Town Council; he was someone I was grateful to know, to serve alongside, and to call a friend,” said Mayor Jennifer Teague. “Harrisburg has lost a dedicated public servant, but even more than that, we have lost a good man who cared deeply about people. My heart aches for his family, who meant everything to him. We will carry Chris’s memory with us, and we will forever be grateful for the many ways, seen and unseen, he gave of himself to our community.”
Before joining the Town Council, Faw served on the Harrisburg Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and volunteered at numerous Parks and Recreation events.
He and his wife, Cathy, were also founding members of the Harrisburg YMCA and sponsored the USA tent at the Harrisburg Multicultural Festival.
Faw was elected to the Harrisburg Town Council in 2023 and remained involved in discussions surrounding parks and recreation, planning and the town’s future as Harrisburg continued to grow.
Town Manager Rob Donham said Faw became more than an elected official he worked alongside.
“Chris was my friend,” said Town Manager Rob Donham. “Over the last three years, he became someone I leaned on, laughed with and learned from. He had a saying for every situation, and no matter how tense a conversation got, Chris always seemed to have the last word, something clever, a little funny and usually spot on. He made the room lighter and the work better. He pushed me to be better, too, and he did it the way he did everything, by giving of himself without ever asking for anything back. Harrisburg lost a great Councilman. I lost a friend. And I’m going to miss hearing him get the last word.”
Faw was a graduate of Independence High School in Charlotte and earned a bachelor’s degree in radio, television and motion pictures from Western Carolina University.
He went on to spend more than three decades working in the media industry, eventually retiring as a senior vice president with a Fortune 100 media company.
During his career, Faw received a Technical Emmy for innovation in advertising and was inducted into the CableFax Hall of Fame. He continued working as a media consultant after his retirement.
Faw and his wife also supported education at Western Carolina, where they established and supported two scholarship funds for students pursuing careers in communications.
Those who knew Faw also remembered his willingness to share his time, knowledge and experience with others.
But family remained at the center of his life.
Faw and his wife raised their two children in Harrisburg, and he was the grandfather of two young granddaughters and a grandson. According to the town, he frequently shared stories about his family and took particular pride in being a grandfather.
Away from work and public service, Faw enjoyed old cars, aviation and trips to North Myrtle Beach. He was also a certified private pilot, though he was no longer active.
The Town of Harrisburg will lower flags at town facilities to half-staff beginning Thursday, Sept. 24, through sunset Thursday, Oct. 1, in Faw’s honor.
The town extended its condolences to Faw’s wife, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.
Service information will be shared by Faw’s family when it becomes available.