Mr. Seward Eric Childs

Eric Childs died peacefully at home with his family on January 16, 2024. Eric and his wife, Paula Satterly Childs, have a married son, Christopher (Mary Beth Carlton Childs and her three children - Kat, Emma, and May), a married daughter, Katie (Ben Wright) and a grandson (Ashton Wright).

He was born August 12, 1945, in Newport, RI. His father, Seward Philip Childs and his mother, Arlene Liljeqvist Childs then moved to Painted Post, NY where Eric grew up. He was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout, played sports, and developed life-long friendships. He is survived by his sister, Trisha Peppard (Alan Peppard) and his brother, Ron (Lois Childs). He was also a wonderful brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, and cousin to an expansive family. Eric rarely missed a special occasion for family or friends.

Eric was a friend to many, and very proud of his “hometown” - Painted Post, NY. He was a member of the last graduating class of Painted Post High School in 1963, serving as senior class president, member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the football team. He always made an effort to stay connected with friends from this era of his life.

He then went on to the University of Rochester, where he earned his B.A. in History in 1967 while taking an active role in the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and playing football. He furthered his education at Niagara University, graduating in 1971 with a Master’s degree in Soviet and Eastern European History with the intention of being a professor.

Eric instead found his career niche in Food Service Management. During a 40-year span, he managed large-scale food service operations at colleges, businesses and hospitals in Boston, Richmond, Providence, Atlanta, and Raleigh. He served proudly in the U.S. Army, Signal Corps, including a year in Vietnam: 1969-70. His honorable discharge included a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, recognition of his meritorious service in a combat zone. While in Vietnam, his skills were used to build a shop at their base where they recovered and repaired homing beacons from landing fields around the country to aid in communication. His initiatives were crucial to the safety and transport of American and Allied troops.

He loved to travel and learn about native cultures and foods, was adventuresome yet not risky. His family “adventures” included trips to various states as well as Canada, Europe, Ecuador, and Australia. One of his recent trips included a lifetime dream of a Viking River Cruise, visit to Prague, and a visit to Poland. He and Paula were honored at a family dinner in Poland with 40 of Paula’s relatives. These travels brought him new family and friends with which he could share stories, many of which he embellished!

He was proud of his Swedish, German, and English family heritage, especially his Grandfather Eric Liljeqvist.

He loved his homemade ice cream on top of his oatmeal on cold mornings, a tradition he fondly shared with his grandson, Ashton. The vintage long-handled ice cream scoop is still in use today! Eric recently added a display cabinet to showcase the hand-blown glass that he inherited from his grandfather.

Eric never met a stranger and could talk to anyone, literally. He brightened the room and brought joy and jokes to everyone he met and left an imprint on many hearts. His trips to the local supermarket were a daily favorite past time and inspired his unique “no recipe” dishes he crafted to feed his family and friends. He loved to entertain and was well known for his annual Oktoberfest celebration. His recipe for Hot German potato salad was always a favorite on the menu and he introduced many North Carolinians to “white hots” from upstate NY alongside many of his other favorite foods. He convinced Paula to make him his own lederhosen outfit to celebrate Oktoberfest in style!

He won everyone’s hearts with his gregarious personality, smile, and honesty. The stories that have been shared over the past few days of how Eric impacted others and the memories that have been created will be cherished forever. A resounding message rings that Eric’s big heart, warm hands, love of others and willingness to help others in need will stay in our minds. When you ask his neighbors how they remember Eric, they share stories that he brightened their day, how cheerful he was, always interested in their lives and their children’s lives, generous in his time and actions and always ready for a chat! He even offered to mow the lawn for new neighbors to welcome them!

As a Dad, Eric showed compassion, guidance, honesty, integrity, an ear for listening, a voice of reason and encouragement, trust, budgeting, cooking, gardening, friendship and so much more. He was out the door before the sunrise and was at every after-school practice and game for both of his kids and often was remembered leaving a sweet smell of his tobacco pipe at the outskirts of the field and gave insightful tips for their basketball and soccer games. He also coached basketball for both Chris and Katie and instilled timeliness, listening, respect and a bit of fun into every practice and game and is remembered by the players as “Mr. C.”

Eric had a love of roses and cared lovingly for his rose garden at home. He ensconced his prized blueberries with a permanent netting structure so he could harvest them before the yard birds and squirrels discovered that they were ready. He sat on his riding mower like a throne for lawn care; weeding was another story – somehow no one enjoyed this aspect, but he loved spending time outside! The joy of his garden was matched with his generosity of gifting the fresh veggies to friends and neighbors and hosting “picking parties” each summer! As a “Rosarian” he tended roses at St. Francis of Assisi.

He had a keen passion for great music from many eras and recently re-discovered his LP collection that both kids, Paula and his grandson were excited to listen to. He often played his favorite tunes, and we vividly recall listening to the “golden oldies” and classic rock with him. As much as he loved to listen to music, his specialty was never reproducing it in tune. Even Ciocia Frances was known to nudge him firmly and remind him not to sing too loudly in church as he was often off key, unbeknownst to him.

His retirement years provided a time to relax (more naps, many more naps), to read (new authors), travel and to reflect on previous journeys and special times with loved ones. Eric was an avid, yet __________ golfer…Somehow, he hadn’t inherited his Dad’s skill at being a “scratch” golfer. He got up at the crack of dawn to check on scores from the Red Sox games. His Buffalo Bills gave him a send-off with a big win!

During Eric’s lifetime, he enjoyed tasting, preparing special foods and sharing these with neighbors and friends. Friends who would like to honor his memory may contribute to World Central Kitchen by using the link below, under 'Donations'.

In the simple words from his grandson, Ashton, “We love him.” Eric will be missed and never forgotten!

Celebration of a life well lived was held at St. Francis of Assisi (11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC 27613), on Saturday, February 3, followed by inurnment of ashes with Military Honors at the Columbarium, a place of faith, tender rest, and visitation.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Eric, or a message of condolence to his family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.