Eric James Aho

Eric James Aho, age 42, of Trenary, died unexpectedly following a brief illness on Friday, June 21, 2019 at UPHS Marquette.  He was born on June 27, 1976 in Escanaba, the seventh child of Donald and Gloria (Latvala) Aho.  Eric grew up in Trenary and attended Superior Central High School where he was a member of the school’s High School Bowl team.  After graduating in 1994, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences and Geology from Northern Michigan University.

Eric lived life well and  enriched the lives of all who knew him. He was a life-long learner and polymath who could intelligently discuss virtually any topic and was glad to do so.  Eric’s love of learning was matched by his love of nature.  Though an avid and skilled hunter and fisherman, he went to the forests, fields and streams not to catch and kill but to enjoy being outdoors and the companionship of those who accompanied him.

Eric’s real love was his family.  He was a steadfast son, brother, uncle, and cousin.  He demonstrated his love in the most genuine way by devoting himself to the full-time care of his mother, Gloria, after she suffered a stroke in 2012. The self-sacrifice, constant kindness, and compassion that marked his care of his mother was exemplary and  inspiring.

Eric’s intelligence, curiosity and energy enabled him to do whatever he wanted to do well.  Whether it was cooking, gardening, bee keeping, or woodworking, he did not dabble.  He learned the subject from the bottom up and continued to learn as he applied his knowledge, always trying to do it better. The results that he achieved validated the effort he expended.

Losing Eric so unexpectedly at such a young age is a blow to his family and friends from which they will not soon recover.  For now, they take solace in knowing what a blessing he was to all of them during the too-short time that he was here.

He is survived by his mother – Gloria Aho of Trenary; his siblings – Don (Mary) Aho of Signal Mountain, TN, Laurie Ellis of Trenary, Mitch (Rhonda) Aho of Trenary, Kay (Ted) Stang of Brighton, WI, Lisa Aho of Charlevoix, MI, and Ross Aho of Elgin, SC; nieces and nephews – Adelaide, Ellen, Jess (Steve), Anna, Claire, Jake, Erin, Dustin, Calvin, Della, Rosie, Charley, and Ava; great-niece Madison; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Eric was preceded in death by his father Donald Aho, his nephew Andrew, and great nephew Jacob Calvin.

A memorial gathering and time for visiting with family and friends will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the family home (E2787 Old U.S. 41, Trenary, MI  49891.)

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to First Responders of Trenary in Eric’s name.