Eric J. Linkel

MIAMI, FL - Eric John Linkel passed away unexpectedly due to an aortic rupture on January 14, 2015, while on vacation with his family in St. Maarten. He was born on May 9, 1959, in Fullerton, CA, to John Ellis Linkel and Angela Sue Linkel, the second of 12 children. Eric attended Don Bosco Tech for automotive studies during his high school years in California, and moved to Maine as a senior in high school in 1976. He loved working on automobiles and opened Brunswick Motor Company. He later went on to teach automotive technology in the Bath School District. In 1986, he met and later married Brenda Beaulieu and welcomed two amazing children, Desiree and Dakota, into his life. Through his daughter, Eric became passionately involved with Central Maine Adaptive Sports and dedicated many hours on the slopes teaching countless students how to ski and overcome their physical challenges. Eric loved children and always took the time to talk to them and make them smile. Eric was dedicated to the education of his children and volunteered countless hours at Bowdoin Central School. He was employed by BIW as a marine electrician for the last 18 years, where he built strong relationships among numerous coworkers and friends. Eric was a kind and thoughtful father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was always there for anyone who needed him. His door was always open. He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Beaulieu, son Dakota Linkel, daughter Desiree Linkel and Mark, Sara and Thomas Rousseau; his parents, John and Sue Linkel; his brothers, Dion, Lance (Donna), Guy, Corey (Jay), Jason, and Jak (Jennifer) Linkel; his sisters, Cindy Linkel, Ava Simmons, Marcia Ready, Johanna Smith, and Stacie Linkel; sisters-in-law Sandy Chassie (Ron) and Donna Gallant (Frank); brothers-in-law Levite, Gerry and Jim (Lynn) Beaulieu; his second family, Grandville, sister Pauline and her children Sean and Janice, and sister Linda and son Daniel; and countless numbers of adored nephews and nieces. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, ME. Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Wednesday morning, January 21, 2015, at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME. The Celebration of Life will follow immediately after the service at the K of C, 2 Columbus Drive, Brunswick, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Eric’s name to Central Maine Adaptive Sports, Care of Cindy Dubois, Lost Valley Ski Area, 200 Lost Valley Road, Auburn, ME 04210.