New Bedford – Eric S. Place, 61, joined his loving mother, Janet L. (Niles) Place, brother, Randy Allen Place and grandmother, Effie A. (Demoranville) Niles in the loving arms of Jesus when he passed away unexpectedly on December 7, 2019 at his home in New Bedford. He is also predeceased by his paternal grandfather and grandmother, Irvin and Margaret (Howe) Place and maternal grandfather, Chester Niles.
Eric is survived by his daughter, Lyndie Shindel. His loss is grieved by his father, Stephen L. Place and his wife, Carol; his brothers: Mark Place and his wife, Diane, and their children, Nicole and Jesse, and grandchildren Connor and Cassidy; Michael Place and his wife Lucy and their children, Corey and Richard; and Chance Place, He will also be dearly missed by his sisters: Becky Wren and her children Daniel, Jacob and Nathan, and grandchildren Elena and Emilia; Wendy Gavin and her husband Philip “Jay” and their children Angela, Stephanie, Joshua, Justin, Amanda and Cody, and their grandchildren Shane, Abigail, Nora, Ella, Adrianna, Austin and Maddox; Beth Soares and her husband Steven and their children Caleb, Jacob, Julia, Lucas and Aidan; Sherilynn Place Stewart and her husband, Shawn, 3 children and grandson. His stepbrother: Edward Ostrowsky and his daughter, Holley; his stepsisters: Lori Archer and her husband, Robert, and 3 children; and Donna Bottella, and her 3 children and grandson.
Eric’s life was marked by many noteworthy accomplishments. His youthful endeavors were focused on the pursuit of physical excellence, including gymnastics and horsemanship. He was most proud of the fact that he accomplished the iron cross, a most difficult gymnastic rings maneuver, and his life ambition was to homestead a piece of land in the wilderness before his life trajectory was forever altered by a tragic automobile accident that left him a quadriplegic at 17. He never allowed that to dissuade him for having the best life possible. He shifted his perspective and went on to pursue intellectual and career goals. He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from Southeastern Massachusetts University, worked, saved and invested in the stock market to amass the funds to purchase property and become a real estate developer and landlord. He married and cared for his family. Eric’s life, from birth to death, epitomized the pursuit of excellence accomplished through discipline, strength and perseverance. He was fallible and flawed as is the human condition, but admirable. He will be missed.
All are welcome to attend his wake and celebrate the life of this man on Friday, December 13, 2109 from 6-8 P.M. at the Kirby Funeral Home, 61 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 9:30 A.M.