Eric William Case

Eric William Case, 52, of Holmdel, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home with his family on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Eric was a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle and adored his family and friends. Eric pursued his life with unwavering optimism and a warm and welcoming heart. Eric was born on February 9, 1972 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and, growing up, Eric was very active in school and his community. He was particularly fond of his time in show choir, Thespians, Speech and Debate teams, and managing the girl’s HS basketball team. He was a member of the National Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America. He was an avid lover of the arts and was a member of Cheyenne Little Theater Players, the Old-Fashioned Melodrama, and loved participating in all things Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Eric earned a BA in English Literature & Education from the University of Sioux Falls and an MFA in Theater Arts from Baylor University concentrating on Theater, English Literature and Meso-American Art History. After completing his MFA, he founded his own ensemble theater in Fredricksburg, Texas. Eric loved directing and creating new worlds on stage. Through his show about the discovery of cacao, he landed in the business of chocolate, which remained his career focus for the rest of his life.

For the next 30 years, Eric worked for some of the finest chocolate companies in the world and traveled the globe with chocolatiers and chefs to visit the farms and growers where cacao is cultivated to experience the origins of the ingredients they use every day.  Notable trips included much of Central and South America, as well as South and Central Africa, even Madagascar. Eric’s capacity for exploration was seemingly endless, as was his interest in connecting with others. Eric pursued his dream of seeing as much of the world as possible with friends, family, and, of course, his wife and daughter. He made new friends everywhere he went, stayed in touch with old friends, and forged many memories along the way.

Eric met his wife Christine in New York City where they were both living. They married in Maine in 2007, a place they both held dear. Eric received his cancer diagnosis in 2009 and it did not stop them from endeavoring to make the most of this precious life. They traveled the world together and also enjoyed all New York has to offer before moving with baby Rory to Holmdel, New Jersey. Rory was his greatest treasure and he adored being her loving father.

Eric will be remembered for the depth of his creativity, his unmatched optimism, grand sense of adventure and capacity for sharing joy.  He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 17 years, Christine McNamara, and his cherished daughter, Rory, his parents, Rocky C. and Judy (Agee) Case, his sister, Tiffany Case Thomson, and his brother and sister-in-law, Rocky and Chava Case. Eric is also survived by his tireless and generous caregiver, Shorena Gedeshuri, and her family. Eric was beloved by many family members, close friends, and a wide array of acquaintances and will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services inc., 32 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730. A Funerall service will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Holmdel Community United Church of Christ, 40 Main Street Holmdel, New Jersey 07733. A Gathering/repast will immediately follow the service at the church hall, open to all who would like to join.

Eric's Funeral Service will also be live streamed on you tube (open to all who want to view):  https://www.youtube.com/c/HolmdelCommunityUCC  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the HeadCase Foundation  (give.vancouverfoundation.ca/s/HeadCase) or The New Victory Theater (www.newvictory.org).

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