Eric Hall

Eric Hall of Soquel, California died peacefully in his sleep Thursday morning, July 21, at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto.

Eric was born on January 9, 1954 in Buffalo, New York where he lived until 1968. Following a temporary move to Palo Alto in 1963, his family permanently relocated in 1968 from Buffalo to Cupertino where Eric attended Lynbrook and Monte Vista High Schools. He also lived in Recife, Brazil as a foreign exchange student his senior year in high school. He graduated from San Jose State University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts.

Eric was employed by Dominican Hospital in Soquel, California for over 25 years as a mental health counselor. His melodic voice was often used as a tool to calm distressed patients. His appreciation of music ranged from opera, to contemporary, and from gospel to the Rat Pack. He worked at Dominican Hospital until February 2010 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. His songs continued as a way to alleviate the discomfort of numerous medical procedures he endured and alleviate stressful situations. He resided with his sister and brother-in-law in Oakland while he underwent treatment for his illness. Over the years, Eric sang with the Glide United Methodist Church Choir in San Francisco, the Sista Monica Choir and the Inner Light Church Choir, both in Santa Cruz.

Eric is survived by his sister, Boydine Hall, brother-in-law, Wendall Mitchell, and his niece and nephew Amanda and Jared. His parents Boyd and Geraldine Hall predeceased him. Other survivors include Lucille Bettis, whom he referred to as his Brazilian mother, and relatives and friends all over the world. To know him was to love him.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 29, 3 pm at Downs United Methodist Church, 6026 Idaho Street in Oakland. A musical celebration of his life is planned for August in Santa Cruz. Inurnment at sea will follow.