Christopher Murray Ayles

Our beloved Christopher Murray Ayles of Benicia, CA., died on August 11, 2025, at the age of 81, in Roseville (CA.) Kaiser Hospital following a two-month hospitalization. He was born in County of Surrey, south of London, on October 5, 1943, in the midst of World War II to Stanley and Irene Ayles. He grew up and attended school in Surrey and Sussex UK, graduating from the highly regarded Reigate Grammar School. Chris entered his working life with the advent of the computer age and became an early expert on the use of computers in large businesses. He helped to install the first computer for the Bank of England. He worked for the London Stock Exchange until he immigrated to California in 1982. In the days of the Thatcher government in the UK, he said he was impressed with the creativity and productivity of the United States. Once in the US, Chris completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science through Columbia University. Chris became a US citizen in 2012. Chris continued to do tech work for a variety of businesses as a way to earn a living, his “day job.” However, Chris’s career and identity were built on his decades of professional acting. He was given Best Actor Award in Sussex for his portrayal of Lord Peter Wimsey in “Busman’s Holiday” in 1981. He became an Equity Actor in the USA. His primary gifts were in stage acting. He performed at Cal Shakespeare, SF Shakespeare, San Jose Stage, Aurora Theater, Berkeley Rep, Marin Theatre Co., Berkeley Jewish Theatre, Pacific Repertory Theatre in Carmel, and Willows Theatre in Concord. He was known and respected throughout northern California as an actor, director, and mentor. Chris also worked in film, TV series, voice overs and print and TV commercials. One of his most famous appearances was as a New Zealand farmer in a UAE Airlines commercial that aired worldwide during the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Chris was also well-known for his contributions to AA groups over his 51 years of sobriety. He was often an invited speaker. And he was much loved and respected by his home group members and his sponsees. He never missed a Tuesday night. In his spare time, Chris was a model railroad lover. He built large layouts that spanned his double garages in a couple of homes so that his automobiles lived on the driveway. He hand-crafted models of two important UK stations—Ashford station (Channel Tunnel entry) and St. Pancras station (channel tunnel terminus). His American trains passed through models of Martinez, CA. and Remo, NV. Chris was the father of three daughters. A Shakespearean actor, he liked to say that he was King Lear. His eldest daughter Melodie Brunt lives in West Sussex, England with her husband Luke and daughter Hattie (age 16). Chris’s daughter Felicity Simmons lives in Scotts Valley CA., with her husband Doug and daughters Ellie (age 13) and Olivia (age 10). Chris’ youngest daughter Penelope Dufton lives in Las Vegas. Chris was greatly loved by this fourth wife Katie McGovern, Benicia, CA. to whom he was married for 13 years. He was previously married to Kirstie Woodman (mother of Melodie), Jane Ayles, (mother of Felicity and Penelope), and Kristiana Brown. Chris leaves behind step-children Megan McGovern-Narlock (husband: Paul), Christopher McGovern (wife: Naomi, children: Lander and Owen), and Andrew McGovern (wife: Carolyn, children: Oliver and Madelyn). A funeral eucharist will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 120 E. J St., Benicia, CA. 94510, at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 11, 2025, with a reception to follow in the parish hall.

Christopher Murray Ayles

October 5, 1943 - August 11, 2025