Erik Michael Merenda, age 56, of Desert Hot Springs, California passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2024. Erik was born in Lynwood, CA to Tamara and Robert Hayslip. Several years later Tamara married Ray Merenda who adopted both Tina and Erik.
Erik was the life of the party, funny, and charming. The ladies all loved him. In his younger years, he was wild and free but the last 17 years he lived 100% sobriety, he devoted his life to his son Hudson and the Lord. Erik was a single father to Hudson. Erik graduated from Beaumont High School and later became an electrician. Erik worked several years at Betty Ford Center as a Maintenance Technician before becoming an Electrician for Horizon Lighting. 19 months ago, Erik was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, through it all he remained the sweet gentle man he always was! Erik was the best Daddy, brother and friend. He will be missed dearly!
Erik is survived by his 8 year old son Hudson Merenda, his sister Tina Miller (Doug), his brother Kenneth Merenda (Eva), his sister Janet O'Connell (Mike), his sister Pamela Anderson, his sister Terri Sennett (John), his sister Karen Erickson (Shawn), his brother Ray Merenda and numerous nieces and nephews and many good friends and the one that got away Sheila.
Erik was preceded in death by his mother Tamara Merenda; his father Robert Hayslip and his "DAD" Ray Merenda.
A celebration of life for Erik will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 4:00 PM at Desert Springs Church, 43435 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA.
Eriks wish was to be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, the family would request any monetary donation be made to Erik's Go Fund Me acct which will go into a trust for his son Hudson.
https://gofund.me/3aefaf28
