Eric Leonard Van de Laar
Eric Leonard Van de Laar, a lifelong resident of Monroe, was taken from us suddenly on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, while residing on campus at SUNY New Paltz. He was 18 years old.
The cherished son of Laura and Lyell Van de Laar, he came into the world two weeks before he was expected on Nov. 20, 1995, in Englewood, N.J.
Eric was a 2013 graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School. He was a former member of Cub Scout Pack 440 and was a former Junior Counselor at Day Camp in the Park, Harriman State Park.
Typical of his enthusiasm and loving nature, he touched everyone with his wit and generous heart.
He was inspired and flourished in the wonderful world provided to him at St. Joseph School in the Village of Florida until its closure. There he blossomed into an irresistibly sweet boy who was loved by all.
Though shy at first, he was nurtured by generous hearts. He pursued many interests such as martial arts and numerous sports, but it was in Cub scouts that he began lifelong friendships with some of the finest boys we have come to know and love today.
Eric had no enemies even in the face of the unkind. He held God’s love in his heart and gave it freely. He was a friend to all until his last breath. His loving brother Ian has lost his best friend. Eric cannot be replaced.
Beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, Eric was loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Kind, affectionate, patient, gentle, trusting, forgiving with a dry, clever, corny, quick wit, he was famous for saying something under his breath that would make his classmates laugh and be the ones called out for it. Eric will forever be remembered for his sense of wonder and how he found constant peace in the tranquility of nature.
He loved a good, loud, sky-cracking thunderstorm, yet was soothed by the slow transitions of every sunset. He explored people, places and things with the open heart of a child.
We wish our precious Eric Godspeed in this, his last journey, until we meet him again at the end of ours.
Eric is survived by his parents Laura F. Leonard Van de Laar and Lyell R. Van de Laar and his brother Ian L. Van de Laar of Monroe; his paternal grandmother Jay E. Van de Laar of Randburg, South Africa; his godparents Brian and Lynne Ann Leonard of West Islip; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. , at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for Feb. 13 at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Road, Monroe.
Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Funeral arrangements have been made by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home. For more information, call 845-782-8185 or visit online at www.ssqfuneralhome.com.