How does one even begin to find words? There just aren’t. There is no explanation, no rationale, no sense. There have been many messages, and the words that so many have used to describe Erik have been kind, generous, funny…with the biggest smile. How does someone who seemed to have so much, never quite feel like he was enough? If loving Erik more would have changed things, the outcome would have been different…he was loved fiercely by his family, his dogs, his friends. In the end, that is where we will have to try and find our comfort.
Erik William Wright was born on a beautiful October day in 1990. He is loved endlessly by his parents, Bill and Jill who consider that job as the happiest, most challenging, yet rewarding honor to have ever been given. Their bond can be shown by the fact that Erik bought his first home just around the corner from theirs.
An exceptional big brother to his sister, Ellen, Erik was her biggest fan, cheerleader, and partner in shenanigans…and only occasionally crossed over into being a bossy first born – most recently chiding her and insisting on buying her some “sensible shoes” for her hospital rotations.
Erik’s devotion to his Nana and Papa were exceeded only by their devotion in return. Every boy should have a Nana to make whatever breakfast was needed to get her boy to school…a considerable task, given that he claimed a stomachache for nearly every day of his school years. Even as an adult, Erik often stopped for one of Nan’s “care packages” on his way to work. His Papa’s quiet guidance and unflappable love carried Erik through more than one scrape, and he missed him every day.
Only six months apart in age, Erik and his cousin Craig held a bond like brothers. Having lived together as toddlers, each spent time in speech therapy unraveling the secret language that only they understood. The two shared a love of hockey and exotic wood…and Craig lovingly handcrafted the box that will hold Erik’s ashes, until it will eventually be shared with those of Erik’s best dog, Dex.
Erik was blessed to be surrounded by loving cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and friends near and far, who championed him, fought for him, and supported him throughout his life.
Erik will be remembered always as the hard-working, generous, young man who loved the simple things in life: his family, his home, and his dog.
In lieu of flowers, suggested memorials include:
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention afsp.donordrive.com (the family is planning to participate as Team Erik Wright in the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk on Sept. 22)
- PAWS Chicago pawschicago.org
Work Hard and Be Kind
Erik William Wright
10/20/90 – 8/16/18
Memorial Visitation took place on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 at Steuerle Funeral Home 350 S. Ardmore Ave. Villa Park where a Memorial service was held.
