BETHESDA, Md. — The popular manager of a D.C. restaurant whose life was cut short by violence during an out-of-town robbery earlier this month was honored in a celebration of life service Thursday.
Christian Broder, who was the general manager at Millie’s, was remembered for his wit, charisma, kindness and unforgettable smile. The 34-year-old was also known for being devilishly funny.
“Christian evoked joy in others and made them feel loved in a way that was so comfortable … that you couldn’t help but want to be near him,” friend Tim Willard told those gathered at Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, Maryland.
“Proverbs 27:17 says: ‘Just as iron sharpens iron — so, one man sharpens another.’ Christian was a sharpener of people. He made us better and brighter,” Willard said.
After the service, Nancie Thomas described how Broder hired her teenage son last year, shortly after the boy lost his father.
“Christian is the one who gave him a chance,” Thomas said. “Christian took Conall on and took him under his wing.”
Speaking with an intermittent stutter, Conall Rubin-Thomas said of Broder, “He was very friendly, he was very kind, and I liked him a lot.”
Industry colleague Jeni Hansen described Broder as an exemplary human and one of those people others wanted as a mentor and a friend.
“He was such a light,” Hansen said, describing Broder’s death as a great loss to the community. “When you have that light, it’s just hard to replace.”
Broder’s co-workers from Millie’s remembered his sunny disposition. Preferring not to be identified, they said, “He knows who we are,” and they quoted in near perfect unison two phrases they said Broder greeted them with every day: “another day in paradise,” and, “this is the best day of my life.”
Broder was shot on July 8 during a robbery while he was in Atlanta for a wedding. Atlanta police have arrested and charged 17-year-old Jayden Myrick in connection to the shooting and robbery.
Broder’s survivors include his wife, Molly, and their 9-month-old daughter, Frances. There is a GoFundMe campaign set up for Broder’s family.
