Sad day. Eric was a good friend, always in the fight, a kind and understanding soul. He was generous with his time, knowledge of "the" system, navigating the labyrinth of community groups and organizing efforts and with his music/song writing.

Eric taught hundreds of people to play guitar, banjo, recorder and to become real performers. He was very supportive and encouraging to his students. Eric taught music at the Langston Hughes Public Library in Corona, Queens and was one of the founding members of the now defunct LACE (Local Artists Collaborative Exchange) along with Suzie Tannembaum in Jackson Heights Queens, NY where he coordinated open mics and outdoor performances designed to reach a broad and diverse audience. Eric led a rally of poets and musicians outside the Langston Hughes Library on Northern Blvd when their funding was threatened . Thanks to the protest the money was found to keep the library open.

He had plans to archive his videos on YouTube and to direct a choral group of disability rights activists.

Eric was an inspiration to all he came into contact with. He was in constant extreme physical pain due to his long term medical conditions but never complained or whined. He soldiered on in a spirit of service despite facing discrimination due to his physical disabilities.

He had performed at the People's Voice Cafe after the event mentioned above and had performed in April 2008 with Barry Kornhauser at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.

When I had visited Eric in the hospital he said, "I love all my friends."