MSGT Eric Strom Haley, USMC Ret., 73, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Bay Pines VA Health Care System.
Born in Portsmouth, VA, he moved here from No. Carolina in 1981 after he retired as a Master Sergeant in the US Marine Corps with 23 years of service. He was a Vietnam Veteran and Past Commander of VFW Post 4364 and AmVets Post 8. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Masons. He enjoyed yardwork and gardening.
Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Gail; two sons, Eric and Steve of Colorado; two daughters, Kathy Kirk of No. Carolina and Adele Harriet of St. Petersburg, FL; step daughter, Samantha Sharp of St. Petersburg; sister Kay Greenwood of Maine; and six grandchildren.
Military Honors will be presented at Bay Pines National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.
Please sign the guestbook below.
My friend will never be forgotten.
Semper Fi Eric!!
Dear Gail, I’m so sorry to hear about Eric, he was my favorite and the first person I met when moving to Victory Estate. He will be missed very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you, he was such a young age, and such a dear person. My love is with you Naomi Lee
I will miss his humor, his laughter,and most of all his good morning waves each day I left for work. He was a great neighbor. Gail you are in our prayers and know that we are her for you.
My sympathy to Eric’s wife and children. He will be missed by many people.
Loving memories of a favorite Neighbor.
I (Linda) want to say thank you for making me smile every morning at 6:30 am with a wave on my way to work. What a wonderful way to start a day.
Gail, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
my deepest sympathy to the family another good soldier taken away to soon RIP
We love you and will always miss you. You are the hero of the girls of Auxiliary 8 and will NEVER be forgotten. I know you will be keeping an eye on us. I know you are resting in the arms of the angels. We are grateful that we knew you. You made a difference is so many lives. Love always.
Gail,
My prayers are with you, if you need anything you know how to get in touch with me. I will miss Eric coming into the clinic, you know he is one my “favorites” hard to say your name with out saying his, remember the love you shared, his sense of humor, that impish grin of his, and always remember his determination to make you smile. Love ya kiddo.
Kris
Dear Gail and all of your family,
Thinking of you all during what is such an extremely difficult time. “May your grieving be short, and your memories long”… Eric did so many nice things for Post 8 that will not be forgotten.
Bill and Michelle Devlin
My thoughts and prayers are with you Gail and your family. Eric always made me smile with his wonderful sense of humor. Our daily “good morning wave” when I past your house while you both were having your breakfast and I was walking Risa was a great morning start. I’ll miss seeing him sitting at the table with you through your window. He was a great man. Please let me know if you need anything!
So sorry for your lost Gail.
Eric, I’m sure your up there working on a beautiful garden ,just like you and Gail did every day,and now your still beside Gail as she carries on.
To my dear sweet cousin. Your passing has left a hole in my heart. You were so special and my best buddy. Thank you for loving me. I will always love you. Iris
Dear Gail; I was so sorry to hear about the death of your husband. Prayers for you and your family at this time.Take care-Love, Diane.
Gail my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Eric was a warm, cheerful and support friend to many. He always made me laugh and was also there to talk to when I needed someone. He will be deeply missed.
Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences on the passing of your loved one. I believe this is the same Marine who was my senior drill instructor when I attended boot camp at Parris Island, SC in 1971. I am greatly disappointed that I did not have the opportunity to locate him prior to his passing. I always wanted to let him know how much of an influence he had on my life and I never let a day go by that I didn’t think of him. Now that he is gone, I will forever cherish his memory and perhaps one day we will serve together again in glory. Rest in peace, Sir!
Semper Fi,
Kenneth L. Anderson
GySgt USMC (Retired)
Platoon 293, E.Company
2nd Recruit Training Battalion
Parris Island, SC (1971)
The things you can learn about a person through the words are amazing! It’s cool to know that we shared a love for gardening but, I would like it if there was a photo of him that I could have!
Hello, Gail,
This is way late, but Eric and I were at the Reserve Center in Tampa 75-79 or so. I was looking for old friends, and Eric’s name came to mind, so sorry to hear I’m too late to talk with him again. Just a great guy, a great person, a great Marine. One of my favorite all-time comrades.
Bob
MSgt USMC Retired