Obituary: Eric J. Vial

As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:

Eric J. Vial, 67, a former resident of Chassell, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning July 30, 2022, at The Green Tree in Hubbell, Michigan where he was a brief resident after a 2 week stay in the hospital.

He was born on September 19, 1954, in Hancock, a son of the late Hattie and Robert Vial. Eric graduated from Hancock High School and received his electrical engineering, BSEE degree, from Michigan Technological University in 1979.

Preceding him in death were his parents. Surviving are his longtime partner, Paula Kirkish of Renton, Washington; his sister Patty Taylor of Grand Haven, Michigan; his brother Bob Vial of Ripley, Michigan; and his nephew Kyle Taylor of Grand Haven, Michigan.

In 1979, Eric moved to Renton, Washington and accepted a position as a systems engineer at The Boeing Company, where he worked for more than 25 years. Throughout his Boeing career, he supported many commercial and military programs that allowed him to travel throughout the world. Some of his favorite countries to visit were Ireland, England, Italy, Hong Kong, and the Marshall Islands.

The Vial family were fans of the outdoors. Eric learned to downhill ski at Mont Ripley and ice skate on Chassell Bay at a very young age. He enjoyed sharing his love of sports with others and taught many kids and adults how to ski.

After moving to Renton, Washington, he was active in wind surfing, spending many weekends at the Columbia Gorge and a trip to Aruba. Eric played co-ed softball, soccer, roller bladed, water skied and played ice hockey well into his later years.

Eric had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke or story. His fondness for Spaghetti Westerns and James Bond movies was only surpassed by his love for bacon, beer, and brats. He fondly reminisced about good friends, good drinks, and good times in the UP (Upper Peninsula).

His devout feistiness and stubbornness served him well, even at the end. In his last weeks in the hospital, he was a model of strong will and sure determination right up until the end of his journey. He will be missed and remembered by many friends, neighbors, and family members.

A memorial service will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock with Father Thomas Merkel to officiate. Burial will be a Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton. Visitation will be for an hour before services at the funeral home.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly in the name of Eric Vial.

The O’Neill-Denis Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to oneilldennisfh.com.