Eric Lynn Balzer

Eric Lynn Balzer, a man of extraordinary sweetness, vibrancy, heart and soul, died suddenly and unexpectedly in sleep at his home on May 28, 2020. His sudden death, in the prime of his life, has devastated his wife, his family, his friends and his whole community.

Eric's early years took him from the Bronx, to Quebec, to California, back to the Bronx, and finally to Yorktown Heights.

After graduation from SUNY Cortland and Pace Law School, he pursued his dream to be a trial lawyer in Manhattan. He was a natural-born lawyer, with a gift for legal insight, trial presence, and persuasion. His baritone voice, quick wit and ease in the courtroom was impressive.

In 1984, he met and wooed Elyse, and quickly and easily had her madly in love with him. They married in 1986. In 1997, he and his wife moved to southern Westchester to be near many dear friends and their children.

The events of 9/11 changed Eric. He gave up the law and pursued a Masters degree in Education from Manhattanville College. From teaching history to high school students, he moved to teach paralegals at the college level. Eric found his true calling, when, at the suggestion of his dear sister-in-law, Denise, he became a certified peer support specialist in the mental health field.
He devoted himself to his job at HDSW, finding fulfillment in helping his colleagues, and care managers, and especially the clients. He was an enthusiastic member of DBSA Rockland.

An imposing man, his size belied his true nature, which was of gentility and sweetness.
This was immediately apparent on meeting him, since he approached every single human being with openness, humility, friendliness and humor. He was a humble, authentic, honest man, who derived the greatest pleasure from meeting someone and getting them to laugh, smile and feel good about themselves. Eric was, at heart, an intellectual, who read everything and had a deep and wide knowledge of history, politics, the world, and many other subjects. He was intuitive about people.

Eric loved books, politics, history, all things automotive, cigars, colorful clothes, southwest Indian jewelry, his digital tablet, and everything related to "Star Trek." Eric enjoyed collecting Zuni fetishes, sports memorabilia and sci fi figurines. But he did not hold onto these items, always finding ways to give them away, choosing each gift to suit the person, and beaming when those gifts surprised his loved ones.

Eric was a loving, fierce, protective older brother to Paul, and to his sisters Wendy, Lisa and Mara. He loved his mother Roberta, who predeceased him, father Martin, stepmother Sally and aunt Helaina. He was close to and loved his brother-in-law Martin and wife Michelle and spent many happy vacations and holidays with them, the most recent in Las Vegas in December 2019. He loved and enjoyed his brothers-in-law, Steve, Jay, and Bro Ben, and was pleased that they had married his beloved sisters. Eric showered abundant and unconditional love on his nieces and nephews, all treated equally whether related by love or blood - Veronica, Dylan, Selia, Sophie, Lucas, Josh, Sam, Jake, Brock, Jordan, Madison, William, Amanda, and Meredith.

Eric had the deepest bond with his best friend, Frank Osuna, spending many nights together at Frank's house, laughing and talking to Frank and Jane, Frank's insightful wife. He loved them both immensely. Eric also loved and admired his dear friend Herb who predeceased him, and Herb's wife Jennifer. Elyse and Eric shared many happy times with both couples.

Eric spent his happiest times with his family and great circle of friends, gathered from his college years up to the present time. He reveled in everyone's enjoyment of his homemade chili at Super Bowl parties attended for over 30 years in his home. Eric found satisfaction in leading Passover Seders in his home for tables filled with those he loved. For many years, Cape Cod was a treasured and happy vacation spot for Eric and his wife.

Every day Eric strove to be a better man. Every day Eric prayed to G-d with prayers of gratitude and prayers of healing for those sick and helpless. Every day he tried to show his love to the world. He believed in "tikkun olam", repairing the world and worked at it every day.
Eric believed that, "When you are kind, you are always right."

We are so proud of who Eric was, how Eric lived his life and what Eric did for this world.

May his memory be a blessing and may Eric's soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life.

Donations in Eric's name will be gratefully received by his favorite charities: Feeding Westchester, 200 Clear Brook Road, Suite 160, Elmsford, New York 10523-1328; and the Wounded Warrior Project.org, 4899 Belford Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.