This online memorial was created in loving memory of Eric Medeiros, whose life story is told throughout this memorial website. Please sign Eric's guest book and let us know you came to visit. We will remember Eric forever.

Eric was the perfect child from the moment he was born.   His soft cry was an indication of the young man he would grow up to be.   Very intelligent, caring, loving, hardworking, gentle, loyal, very thoughtful, funny and extremely handsome.  His constant smile and gentle manner left an impression with all who met him no matter what age.   Wise beyond his years, an old soul most people would say.

He loved his family, friends, his cars and the pretty ladies, and they all loved him back.

Lets not forget that smile, the smile that could melt an iceberg, when he smiles its from within, you can look into those big brown eyes and see the wonderful soul inside. 

Eric embraced life, lived everyday to its fullest and encouraged everyone around him to do the same.   We should all take a lesson from him, for life is so short.  

Please share a story or memory of Eric, I love to hear them.    Enjoy the poem below that was written by some special friends for Eric.

A little more about Eric-----------

He was always by my side, my biggest cheerleader.   He had decided to test his wings, Eric and a few friends decided to rent a house together.    For days I knew something was up, but I waited for him to tell me.     He was so nervous,  then told me he was moving out, (of course I started crying) but dont worry mom, I not that far I'm just down the street.   He wasnt kidding.    He said he was keeping the house key, just in case.   I knew why, so he could raid my pantry when I wasnt there.     And he did.    The day came that I needed to try something new,  so I told him I was thinking of moving and trying a new place for a while.   He was supportive but I could see in his eyes, he was not OK with it.

It wasnt long before he came to visit and try it out.   Island life is pretty nice, and he loved it right away.    But I knew there was alot back home for him, his girl, his car, his friends.      He went back.     Then the phone rang,    "I miss you ma, can I come for good?"   my heart melted, I had been waiting to hear those words.     "are you sure?" I asked, he said  "yes, I have been thinking alot about it, I can always come back if I change my mind, plus I want to help you build the cafe"      Not only had I moved to a new place, but I started a new business.

Eric had been one of my managers back home and grew up around everything restaurant.    So i knew all I had to do was put the shirt on him and off he would be.

There are not many young men, who would drop everything in their lives to be near their mom, but Eric was different.      With Eric on board, we went on to be voted the best new restaurant in St Croix withing our first 8 months,  he completed everything I wanted my little place to be.   

He was determined, he worked hard.  Not just for me but he also worked at another restaurant,  he had a fantastic studio apartment with a view to die for.    He bought his car and was turning it into a beauty.    Never once complained about being tired, he always found some fun time.

As your life goes on from here

Remember that I’m always near

I am the waves upon the sea

Your smiles and tears are full of me

I am the island wind that blows

I am the evening stars that glow

I am the rainbows in the sky

The morning light, the clouds up high

A part of you I will always be

My name is ERIC, remember me.

It was a wonderful saturday, sunny and 85 just like it is all year round.

We went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, on the way home I thought about Eric looking at my watch, he must still be at work.   I will call him in the morning.    Watched some TV and went to bed.    Then the phone rang  ...its 2:30 am    OH God, what could it be.

It was Eric's father, he was frantic.     "Eric has been in a terrible accident, you need to get to the hospital as soon as possible"    Oh my god,  Im leaving right now.

Why did they call him? how did they get his number?  Why didnt they call me?  

When we arrived, i knew it was bad.   The doctors stopped me before entering his room, I could see him and all I wanted to do was be near him.

"Eric has a very serious head injury,  he is not responding, and we have him on life support"    I just ran past the doctor, I just needed to let Eric know I was there.

It had been a slow night at the restaurant, and everyone takes turns leaving early if its slow.   It was Eric's turn.   He decided to leave and meet some friends.    He hung out there for a while, at around midnight he announced he was tired and was heading home because he had alot to do the next day.      At some point he was going along, clear night, dry roads, but something went wrong,  his car spun and hit a telephone pole.   The force of the spin was so tremondous, that when the car bounced back, Eric was ejected out the back window.     He landed in the road, and then car kept rolling, thank god it didnt roll over him.    

He had a mark across his shoulder, we all believe he was wearing his seat belt, but when he bounced back in the car, he hit the back of his seat so hard that it broke.   So when the back of the seat went all the way back down, he slid out from under the belt.

He never woke up, they tried everything.    All i wanted was to see those big brown eyes open, just once. But he couldnt.    I finally asked how they called his father and not me.    They explained that when Eric arrived, the only thing in his pocket was his debit card, the receipt from where he had been and his cell phone.   They went through it looking for mom or dad or anybody with the same name.    His father was in there by name, so they figured same last name, must be a relative.   What they didnt realize when they hit dial, was that they were calling Massachussets.     My number was in there, but Eric had me listed under one of his nicknames for me   "Duke"   how on earth would they know that "Duke" was his mom.      His father had to call my sister for my number at the house,   they were all frantic before I knew anything. 

The lead detective came to see me personally to review their findings.    After all the research and investigation, they are sure that Eric swearved to avoid something.    We drive on the left here, when he swearved his back tired hit the curb just right and just enough to send the car into a spin.       We always suspected that because he left no scid marks, he never hit the brake.

The police believe (and this happens here alot)  someone was on the wrong side or over the line enough for Eric to have to pull to left.       The sad thing is that, whoever it was kept going.   How could they not hear what just happened behind them?  didnt they realize he was swearving to get out of their way, and they were in the wrong lane.

We always knew this could not be because Eric did something stupid, He loved that car more than anything.     Having the police comfirm out suspicions doesnt make it any easier.

He wouldn't even drive it on the road to our house, he left it almost a 1/4 of a mile away and walked the rest of the way.    I asked him why?   "Im not driving my baby on your road, too many bumps and dirt"     it is pretty bad.

On Monday October 22, 2007 we had to do the hardest thing in our lives, we had to let Eric go,   he never woke up, he never responded to anything.    I had to have him in my arms, just like the day he was born.    I found a way, and held him.   They turned off the machines, I held him and felt his last heartbeats.    My angel, all I wanted to do was go with him.     

Mama always fixed everything, but I couldnt fix this.   Now I am here, by the urging of a caring friend.     

Thank you for taking the time to read about Eric.    Until my time comes to be with him, I will always keep him alive in our hearts and memories.