SNAP’S MEMORIAL TO ERIC

SNAP members/supporters

Saturday's gathering was very touching and personal, an emotional gathering of friends, family and coworkers.  Eric was very much admired and loved, in large part for his ability to entertain, support and be present for others.

His mother, brothers and extended family are still in terrible shock, but they did a fine job of pulling off the gathering with the help of Eric's local friends.

They still don't know exactly when he died, since "it was several days before he was found."  He left a simple note, telling where everything was, papers, bank account, etc., and a simple closing, "Thank you for everything."

Mary Grant spoke touchingly and beautifully of her long relationship with Eric, his courage in being one of the first people in Orange County to come forward, the many people he helped, and the tragedy of his abuse as a child.  

Others told stories about Eric, both amusing and touching, and I spoke briefly at the end of our gratitude for being invited to share in this afternoon of remembrance and saying goodbye to Eric's now free spirit.  I expressed my personal envy in never getting to know him except through the witness of his beautiful family and friends.

There was no religious service or prayers, but a simple and reverent honoring of his life and contribution to others' lives, with his music playing in the background, and a time of reflection on his life during the playing of Don McLean’s "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” as an apt recapitulation of his life. Most of the forty or so people present participated in scattering his ashes to the wind atop a knoll a short walk from the Ranch, after which we gathered again for food and refreshments.

May Eric Zapala’s spirit rest in peace and in the hearts of all who loved him in this life.

Jeb Barrett, Denver SNAP Leader