Eric English

Eric Brian English, age 54, died Saturday, January 23, 2021, from a heart attack.  Eric was born on March 18, 1966, in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Penny L. Willing and Alvin W. English. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1984, and was a proud graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 1988. Eric was employed as a reporter for The Bay City Times from 1988 until 2007, operating from the Tawas City bureau, where he covered a variety of news in several counties.  He covered the closing of Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, accompanying one of the last B-52s to its retirement in Arizona. He was also proud to have survived, without vomiting, a flight with the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron. A member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Eric was an usher and served on the parish council. He participated in the Saginaw Leadership program.In 2007, Eric relocated to the Bay City main office, where he worked as a business writer, and eventually as assistant community editor for the Saginaw News (2009 - 2012), managing producer from 2012 - 2016, and news leader in MLive's Ann Arbor News office from 2016 - 2018, when he returned to the Bay City and Saginaw news outlets. He was a proud recipient of the 2015 First Amendment Award, created that year by the Associated Press Michigan Media Editors to recognize his support as editor for an ongoing series in the Saginaw News. Eric was a firm believer in freedom of the press, writing and editing articles on important issues in a readable and approachable fashion. He set high standards for himself and encouraged others to meet them as well. He often said the press was an additional balance and check of power; a responsibility he took seriously. Eric had a dry, wry, sarcastic wit that he shared often. While often perceived as gruff and grouchy, briefly earning him the "Grumpy Cat" nickname, his humor and perceptive insights were appreciated by friends and family.  His analytical and inquisitive mind balanced news, information, and thoughtfulness with sensitivity and common sense not only in his work, but in his personal life. Even then, Eric's humor would break through to provide relief in tense situations.  "How's that working out for you," asked in a mildly disinterested manner, would provoke a burst of laughter and a refocus on solving the problem at hand.

Though just weeks shy of his 55th birthday, Eric's life was full. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Chicago and Seattle for a "big city" experience, or Florida and Virginia, for a slower-paced style. Eric was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, deer hunting, and spending time with friends tossing horseshoes or sitting around a campfire.  He enjoyed playing and watching golf with his daughter, and other sports. Even if the Northwestern Wildcats were having an off season, he always supported his team. Eric was a talented handy-man, completing many home improvements on his own or with guidance from "the dads," and also maintaining every vehicle he ever owned to a spit-shined perfection that was the envy of many in the neighborhood.  Eric was the Head Chef, and took great pride in his skill at the grill and in the kitchen.  He was a video game aficionado, excellent Dungeons and Dragons player, enjoyed model trains, and a wide variety of music at home and at concerts. He was an experience-oriented person, and it showed in the way he lived.

A loving and supportive husband and father, Eric is survived by his wife of 28 years Kathleen M. English, and his daughter, Holly G. English. He joins his son, David J. English, in Heaven where they are no doubt enjoying the biggest fishing trip ever, tossing Skittles in the lake to attract the fish.  Eric was also predeceased by his mother, Penny L. English; grandparents Helen & Edward Beyer, Jack & Wilma English, and Dorothy & Daniel Holzhei; special uncles David English, John English and John Graham. Others who mourn his passing include his parents, Alvin and Kathleen A. English, a sister, Debra English (J.P. Reed), and in-laws John H. & Carol Killey, Karen (Marty) Barriger, Susan (Perry) Grove, Joseph (Krista) Killey, John P. (Lisa) Killey; nieces and nephews, Evan, Julia, Margaret, Edward, Kyle, Faith, John R.; special aunts and uncles Ellen Graham, Ellis English, Laura (Keith) Pobanz, Mary (Bill) Frisbie, David (Cindy) Holzhei, Wilda Gall, Jenise English, Beth Vergoven, and many cousins, as well as special friends Paul Papke, Eric Spanitz, and Terry & Carrie Smith, the Wilbur Twp. bunch who are too numerous to count, his "second daughters" Anna Smith, Cal Quayle, and Wendy Pham, and those he called his "work family." We ask that you take a moment to raise a glass in remembrance of this well-loved man and his well-lived life.

A public visitation will be held from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29 at Gephart Funeral Home, 201 W Midland St., Bay City. Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, formerly St. Vincent De Paul, at 2956 E North Union Rd. in Bay City. Social distancing and mask wearing requirements will be in place.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the David J. English Memorial Scholarship, in care of the Bay Area Community Foundation.  The family wishes to thank the Bangor Township Fire Dept. and the Mobile Medical Response teams for their tireless lifesaving efforts, professionalism, and kindness.