Erik Lemoine

Erik Jon Lemoine Former Pleasanton Resident Erik Jon Lemoine, 36, of Apex, NC, passed away on November 2, 2009 from metastatic melanoma after a two year courageous battle with this insidious disease. Erik was born on January 15, 1973 in Redondo Beach, California to Chuck and Norma Lemoine. Chuck and Norma moved to Pleasanton in 1976, (Soccer City USA) where they raised their three sons, Jeff, Sean and Erik and where they still reside. Soccer became Erik's love, playing competitively from U5-U19. He was a 1991 graduate of Foothill HS and a four year varsity soccer player, highlighted by playing alongside his best friend and brother, Sean. During his youth soccer years, he played on state, regional and national teams. During high school, he also discovered a talent for creating pottery, which he often gave as gifts to friends and family. After high school, he spent time in Holland playing soccer before he returned to California where he attended Santa Barbara City College, earned his associates degree and once again played soccer alongside his brother Sean. Erik then attended the University of San Francisco on a full athletic scholarship and found success both on and off the field. He was the team captain during his senior year. It was at USF when he was diagnosed with learning disabilities and decided to pursue a degree in special education. After graduation, he was a first round draft choice for a professional soccer team in Florida, but made the choice to end his soccer career to continue his education by attaining a Masters degree in special education in order to help other students with learning disabilities and proving to his former teachers there is always hope and to never give up. He continued to keep soccer in his life through coaching youth teams and teaching them to love the game he adored. He met his wife, Cathleen in 2001 and they were married on July 19, 2003. They moved to North Carolina in 2005 to start a family and they welcomed their son, Evan into their young family on July 21, 2006. Erik and Cathleen renewed their vows on October 29, 2009 on the same day Erik and Evan were baptized as members of the Catholic Church. Father Stephen Smith officiated the ceremony, Sean Lemoine was his best man and Chuck and Norma Lemoine became Evan's godparents. Erik enjoyed life and loved spending time outdoors hiking with his dogs, playing or coaching soccer, trout fishing with his fishing buddies, his brother Jeff and his Dad in the Sierras, or hiking to remote areas to take in a scene that few others had seen. He was known for his humor and kept his friends laughing for hours. He was an avid chess player and became the 'one to beat', though few people ever had the pleasure of winning against him. Everyone who counted Erik as a friend knew they had a genuine friend in their lives. Erik also loved his dogs and enjoyed spending hours training his beloved German Shepherds, Sasha and Jarko. Erik only lived 36 years on this earth, but touched the lives of many people from coast to coast and around the world. Erik is survived by his loving wife Cathleen and his adorable three year old son Evan of Apex, NC; his parents Chuck and Norma Lemoine of Pleasanton, CA; his siblings Jeff and his wife Debbie of Discovery Bay, CA and Sean and his wife Alicia of Pleasanton, CA; his aunt Betty Dixon of Harrisburg, AR; his uncle Ernie Scheil of British Columbia; his nieces Gabriella and Amelia; nephews Niccolo and Clayton; his mother- and father-in-law, Peter and Ellie Lyons of Port Charlotte, FL and sister-in-law Tricia Gwinn and her husband Will of Raleigh, NC; along with numerous cousins and hundreds of friends throughout the country. Erik is predeceased by his grandparents Alva and Catherine Lemoine and Ernest (Opa) and Marion (Oma) Scheil. The family will accept visitors at the Apex, NC, home of Erik and Cathleen Lemoine (98 Markham Plantation) on Thursday, November 5 from 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturday, November 7 from 12:00-3:00 pm. A memorial service will be held on November 14, 2009 at 11:00am at Valley Community Church, 4455 Del Valle Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA immediately followed by a reception to celebrate his life. (925-846-6622) Written tributes in Erik's memory can be found at www.caringbridge.org/visit/eriklemoine. In lieu of flowers and Erik's last wish, you may make a donation in his memory to an account established for his son's education: Evan Charles Lemoine Fund, c/o Fremont Bank, 6654 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925) 417-7671 Erik's final message Let us remember the smiling, the laughing, the talking, the sharing, the caring, and the loving. Let us remember the good times -- always.