Eric
Smith, age 40, of South Burlington, Vt., passed away on May 27, 2024,
after suffering a stroke.
Eric’s
multifaceted persona was a mosaic of unparalleled talents,
brilliance, humor and linguistic prowess. He was a vast wealth of
knowledge, ever eager to share his wisdom.
His
passion for music was palpable, and he was a gifted, self-taught
musician. He was active in Burlington’s hardcore scene during the 242
Main era. Eric played guitar with the band My Revenge, touring the
U.S. and Canada. He went on to tour the U.S., Europe and Japan with
the band Unrestrained. Following that, he played guitar, sang and
wrote songs with the band Mass of Tharsis. More recently, he played
bass with the band Rail City, recording an album last year.
Beyond
his musical exploits, Eric possessed a “mechanical thumb”
capable of repairing and fabricating just about anything, often with
simply what he had on hand. A master of mechanics and a wizard in the
digital domain, his resourcefulness knew no bounds.
Eric
was kind, generous and quick to help others, often sacrificing his
own comfort for the sake of those in need. Yet sadly he struggled to
recognize his significance to others, ultimately pushing away those
closest to him and causing immense pain for both himself and those he
cherished. Despite his struggles, he managed to touch the lives of
those who crossed his path, a testament to the depth and richness of
his lived experience.
Eric
is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia, and stepfather, Bruce.
He is survived by his father, Arlan, and his wife, Jeannie; his
brother-in-law, Rob; his nephews, Justin and Chris; his sister Lori;
his sister Dani; his cousins; his friends; and his beloved, Emily.
A
celebration to honor Eric’s life will be held at the Winooski VFW on
June 22, 2024, 3 p.m., where those who knew him can come together and
honor his memory.
This article appears in Jun 5-11, 2024.