Eric Day

1938 - 2024

Eric Day

Easthampton, MA - January 12, 1938 – March 1, 2024

Eric Day, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend passed away on March 1, 2024 following a brief decline due to complications from Alzheimer's.

He was born on January 12, 1938 in Darlington, England. Like many working-class children, Eric left school at the age of fifteen, after which he served an apprenticeship as a roll turner at a local steel mill. A post WWII program created to relieve the shortage of engineers gave Eric the opportunity to pursue training as an engineer while also working at the mill. After years of balancing both work and his studies, he graduated from Darlington Technical College at the top of his class with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked as a development engineer for Cummins Engine Company, United Technologies, and Jacobs Vehicle Systems where he focused on fuel pump and brake design. His creative design work led to a number of patents. He spent forty-two years as an engineer, twenty-eight of those at Cummins.

In 1974, Eric, his wife, Claire, and their children moved to the United States. They lived in Columbus, Indiana until 1983 when they moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Eric and Claire moved to Easthampton, Massachusetts ten years ago.

Eric loved sailing, skiing, hiking, duplicate bridge, opera, classical music, his family, and his dogs. He and his wife loved to travel. They were both founding members of the Yorkshire-based Swaledale Outdoor Club. Eric was also someone who enjoyed his own company. He spent many hours solo skiing or sailing the Long Island Sound, working on his boats, and watching the clouds drift over Mt. Tom. Family stories of his adventures hitchhiking as a teenager through Europe, his time in the Royal Air Force during his two years of military service, and all his other adventures emphasized his independent spirit, his perseverance, and his fearlessness.

Eric is survived by his wife Claire, son Andrew Day, daughter Julie Day and son-in-law Tom Davidson, grandchildren Holden Davidson and Serafina Day, his sister Eveline Wilson, brother-in-law Bob Wilson and nephews Stephen and Jonathan Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his father Sam Day and mother Evelyn Day (Gregson).

The family would like to thank the many people who helped him in his long journey with Alzheimer's: Cathie, Alan, Barbara, Joanna, Ingar, Michael, Iedes, Katerina, plus the staff of Linda Manor and Hospice of the Fisher Home. The family would also like to thank all those who supported its various members through this time.

There will be a memorial service at Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield (date TBD).

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that contributions be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home (fisherhome.org).