Antonio Benjamin Eribez

With hearts heavy yet full of gratitude for the gift of knowing him, the family of Antonio Benjamin Eribez announces his peaceful passing on May 26, 2026, at his parents’ home in National City, California, surrounded by those who loved him most. After four years of extraordinary courage in the face of illness, Antonio departed this world at the age of 45—leaving behind a legacy of warmth, devotion, and an irreplaceable light that will continue to illuminate every life he touched.

Born on November 29, 1980, in National City, California, Antonio—known tenderly to so many as Anthony—was shaped from his earliest days by the richness of family and the joy of human connection. He possessed a rare and natural gift: the ability to make any room feel warmer simply by being in it. That gift of effortless warmth and eloquence, woven into the very fabric of who he was, would come to define both his personal relationships and his professional path throughout his life.

In his young adulthood, Anthony ventured to Salt Lake City, Utah, to live with his late Aunt Luz—a chapter of life that would prove quite transformative. It was there that fate introduced him to Lauri Turcsanski, the woman who would become his greatest love and the steadfast center of his world. On April 7, 2006, surrounded by family and friends beneath the California sky in San Juan Capistrano, Anthony and Lauri exchanged vows and began building a life together. In 2012, they returned home to National City, where their family blossomed with the arrival of three daughters: Brielle, Emry, and McKenna—the very heartbeat of Anthony’s existence.

Few who knew Anthony were aware of the quiet battle he carried for four years. He bore his illness with remarkable grace—refusing to allow it to diminish his presence, his laughter, or his devotion to those around him. To those who did know, he was nothing short of an inspiration, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Anthony showed up, fully and completely, for every person in his life until the very end. He was, in the truest sense, a lifeline—a steady hand, an open heart, and an unwavering source of strength.

Beyond the walls of his home, Anthony’s influence stretched wide. As a coach for the Eastlake Panthers and the Mean Girls, he became far more than an instructor of the game—he was a mentor, a role model, and a steadying presence in the lives of countless young athletes. He possessed the rare ability to see potential in others before they could see it in themselves, and to encourage them with the kind of authentic belief that stays with a person for a lifetime.

Anthony had an extraordinary and seemingly effortless ability to bring people together. Whether through his love of food, film, music, or simply the joy of shared company, he transformed ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. A Sunday dinner became a celebration. A quiet evening became a story worth telling for years. He had a gift for hospitality that was not about grandeur but about genuine connection—everyone in Anthony’s orbit felt seen, welcomed, and deeply valued.

The very center of Anthony’s universe was his four girls—Lauri, Brielle, Emry, and McKenna. He was a husband and father in the fullest sense: present, loving, and wholly dedicated. He cheered from the sidelines at football games and jiu-jitsu matches, sat front-row at McKenna’s Christmas programs, and carried every milestone and ordinary Tuesday with equal joy. He traveled with his family to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Utah, always seeking new memories to tuck away and treasure. It was in these moments—the laughter, the travel, the simple togetherness—that Anthony was most fully himself.

Anthony left this world as he lived in it—surrounded by love. His wife, parents, and siblings were at his side as he passed quietly at his parents’ home, a place of family and refuge. It was a farewell befitting a man who made everyone around him feel at home.

Lovingly Survived By

Lauri (wife) • Brielle, Emry & McKenna (daughters) Juliana (mother) • Nicholas (father) Nicholas, Adam, Lucas & Isaac (brothers) • Juliana (sister) Beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a boundless circle of cherished friends

The family extends their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of prayers, loving words, flowers, unity, and generosity shown during this time of profound loss. Your kindness has been a comfort beyond measure.

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day."