Eric left us as he would have wanted: peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, with his favourite tunes playing, and following days of visits from treasured friends and family. Despite a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia and, more recently, ALS, Eric’s true nature shone through right to the end. He was loving and kind, moving through life with purpose, charm, and strength.

Eric was a gifted athlete and natural leader – combining both skills in his successful run for head boy at Queen Elizabeth High School in Halifax with a persuasive pitch delivered while juggling. Eric’s closest friendships were made at Queen’s University while earning his B.Comm – and they lasted a lifetime. His discovery of doubles squash expanded his circle of friends and the Badminton & Racquet Club of Toronto became a home away from home. Eric loved to share stories of starting his career at Andersen Consulting (Accenture), where he met the love of his life, Sandra. After Accenture, he became a serial entrepreneur, helping to build and run a number of successful companies.

Born in Halifax, Eric always embodied the best of Nova Scotian warmth, humour, and resilience. His adventurous life included stops in Calgary, Ottawa, Chicago, and his chosen home in Toronto. Hiking holidays in the Alps became his favourite way to enjoy the world – tirelessly striding up trails, ideally accompanied by his family and friends. The family cottage in Philips Harbour, Nova Scotia was his favourite place to relax and connect with his beloved siblings and their families.

Following the loss of his son, Jack, to suicide in 2010, Eric devoted his energies to a mission that would change the landscape of youth mental health in Canada. Together with Sandra he founded Jack.org, creating an organization, movement, and network that spanned the country and put young people at the forefront of the conversation about stigma and mental health. He was a real-life hero whose dedication, empathy, and ability to captivate a crowd touched the lives of countless people, and whose vulnerability and imperfections taught us that we all could make the world a better place and be there for each other. He received many accolades for his work, including an honorary degree from Queen’s University, the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee medal, the Meritorious Service Cross, and the King Charles III Coronation medal.

In recent years, you may have encountered Eric on a long walk around the city, playing or watching a heated doubles squash match, or telling his and Jack’s stories at a fundraising event. Wherever it was, you were sure to find him with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. The joy that powered his relationships, accomplishments, and adventures stayed with him until the very end.

Survived by his much loved and loving wife, Sandra Hanington; and his beloved children Ben (Cynthia) and Julia. Predeceased by his son Jack; parents, Bill and Jean; dogs, Jazz and Taffy; and deeply missed by his dog, Chester and siblings Bill (Kathryn), Judy (Dave), Michael (Roberta), Beth, and Roy. We are tremendously grateful for the expert and compassionate care we received over the past weeks, first at Toronto General Hospital and then in the ICU at Toronto Western Hospital.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held at a later date. Visitation with his family will take place from 4:00-5:30 and 6:30-8:00 pm on Thursday May 28th at The Badminton & Racquet Club of Toronto. If you’d like to commemorate Eric with a donation, please direct it to his beloved Jack.org so that he can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in Canada.