I am lucky to have had the opportunity to have meet Erick and learn about his passion for helping people who have a disability who needed a reliable source of information about the SSA work supports they were eligible for. Erick provided guidance and encouraged people, who have a disability, to try work and to work to their fullest abilities. Erick and his expertise will be missed. I am sorry for the community of Illinois' loss. Sincerely, Laurie Schaller

Ayy Erick! I couldn’t stand up yesterday and tell everyone how much I love you and how I will miss you. But I know you knew! We clicked since day one you arrived home. I just wanted to be with you all the time. You just got me! Even with my crazy childhood rabietas (yes and some adult ones too ) you would just pat me in the back and and say “its ok are you ok.  They all annoying anyway” You believed in me more than I could ever believe in myself.  Every move I made, you would ask me whats the plan and say you do it. Nod your head and somehow trusted my decisions. When I accomplished anything man your smile lightened up a room and when it didn’t go as planned you never judged or anything you would say again its ok are you ok? You were never just my cousin you are my brother and I pray for strength to us all because our family will now always be missing a a big part of the heart and soul but we will continue to keep you alive in our hearts and your memory will be our fuel. Until we meet again! You better receive me with one your cakes! 

Our deepest condolences to the Garcia and Lopez family.  Our prayers and thoughts are with you.   

Dorothy and Oscar Gonzalez and family. 



The one thing I will always remember about Erick is his laugh   He always did have a fun loving free spirit.  Sending love and hugs to his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews.

Comadre, Compadre , Gretchen, Ricardo Jose, Jordany y toda la familia… Mi corazón duele!  Erick es un ser muy especial! Recuerdo hace 33 años atrás cuando llegue de Puerto Rico y conocí a Erick. Me saludo efusivamente en la puerta y mientras platicaba con sus padres y abuela Cielo, el era el anfitrión que traía las tacitas de café! Erick siempre tuvo ese espíritu noble y no importando si su condición de salud no estaba bien, el hacia chistes y sonreía . Sus actos de magia no podían faltar en las fiestas familiares! 
Hace casi 27 años , Erick paso a ser el “Godbrother”  de mi hijo Jordany  y luego el de mi hija Suheily.  La etapa adolescente de Jordany  dió más vuelta que una montaña rusa y su hermano Erick se lo llevo a vivir a su apartamento. ( Me imagino que al otro día ya estaría arrepentido de esa decisión 😂) pero Jordany aún dice que fue la mejor experiencia de su vida. Erick lo consentía haciéndole unos ricos waffles y pancakes, aunque las llamadas de la high school no le hacían mucha gracia a  Erick! 
Tengo la seguridad de que en estos momentos Erick ocupa un lugar especial y privilegiado al lado de Dios .  Su corazón bondadoso, y cariñoso, su inmenso amor por su familia y su desinteresada labor por ayudar a otras personas  hacen que Erick haya dejado unas huellas imborrables … al menos así están en mi corazón!
No te digo adiós Erick,, solo un hasta luego!!!💚

Erick,
 you were such an inspiration  to me and so many others. Your dedication and love for others were definitely your priority in life.  No matter the storm, you fought it without complains and with a positive spirit.  You are definitely one of my heroes!! Rest in peace  dear Erick!!

Erick was an outstanding young man who will be sorely missed by all of us in the disability advocacy community, as well as the countless Chicagoans with disabilities he so diligently served for many years at the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).

I met Erick in 1996 when he was a student at Lane Tech HS. I was recruiting CPS youth with disabilities to participate in the inaugural MOPD Disabled Youth Peer Development Initiative (DYPDI), a yearlong mentorship program designed to prepare promising high schoolers with disabilities for their successful transition to higher education and eventually employment. Erick was the very first student I interviewed and accepted into the program.  His intelligence and wit were obvious in the moment, bolstered by the can't miss Loony Tunes necktie he wore for the interview.

As a college student a few years later, Erick applied for and was hired as a DYPDI staffer. He had become a strong role model for program participants, while helping guide them through summer and after-school program requirements. After college, Erick secured full-time employment with MOPD, not surprisingly, as an employment services and benefits analysis specialist. He continued his ardent service to disabled consumers across the city until his sudden and untimely passing a few days ago. 

Erick positively impacted many lives and lifestyles, and I am truly grateful to have known him as a friend and colleague. 

Thank you, Erick.



 

Erick and I started grad school at Northeastern Illinois University in 2016. Our cohort was small and we all stuck together throughout the 3 years of coursework. We all were working full time jobs and going to school at the same time and I think by the time we graduated with our Masters Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2019, we were all exhausted! Even after graduation, we all still stayed close, often texting on the same group text thread we had since we began our program. We had good times at our cohort brunches that Erick always hosted, and we were looking forward to a reunion, which will never be the same. Erick had the best dry sense of humor and could instantly make you crack up with his sarcasm. You will be greatly missed by our little cohort group, Erick. I am so honored to have had you as my friend. ❤️

The love and joy that Erick brought to everyone he knew will never be forgotten. He was a true inspiration to everyone around him. His big heart and personality were contagious. I was one of the lucky ones to have known him.  May you take comfort with the friends and family that surround you.

With our deepest condolences, 
Mary, Omar and Ramón Muñiz 

It was a privilege to have met Erick. I only knew him for couple of years while we were at NEIU and after, but he has left a mark in my life, like he did with anyone he met.  He was such an honest, funny, and kind person, with so much knowledge.  I learned so much from him about our field, and about unwavering determination. He will be deeply missed. Continue shining bright my friend! 

Marilyn, Ricky and family,  I'm very sorry for the loss of Erick. May God give you all the strength you will need to go through this  so painful time. Erick was an incredible human being and a great example of love and positivism.  He  had such a great sense of humor! He will be remembered and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Erick is my friend and brother in law. We went to UIC together, and, while I was pregnant with his first nephew, Ricardo Rafael, and attending UIC with Erick, people always assumed Erick was the father. We laughed out loud about this! We were inseparable during that time; we had lunch and took naps in his dorm room together. 
I'm grateful my children had tio Erick as their uncle, and I as my friend and brother. I'll always love you, E! ❤

We are so sadden to hear of Erik's passing. I lead a non-profit that serves low to moderate income individuals in Chicago, including many youth and adults with disabilities and Erik and I served on various coalitions together. Erik was always an active committee member and had the best interest of community members at heart. Erik frequently volunteered to present to case managers about how they could best serve the youth in care with disabilities in our programs with DCFS. We are so grateful for Erik's service and support and wanted to share with all of Erik's friends and family just how much of a positive impact Erik made across Chicago. You are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Marilyn
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Adrienne Grey
Retired Lowell Teacher 

My Dear Sister & Family, 

Words can not express how I’m feeling right now. My deepest sympathies go out to my sister, brother in law and niece and nephew.  This is a loss that is very difficult. May God grant you strength during this very difficult time. Erick was a wonderful human being and will never be forgotten. 

With all my love, 
Gina & Izzy Segarra

My heart goes out to Marilyn, Ricky, Gretchen, Ricardo José and all the members of the Lopez and Garcia families for their loss. Erick was a great human being. He brought warmth and joy to all who knew him. He will never be forgotten. 
The Mesa-Collins family

My deepest sympathy. 
Eric was a wonderful young man.
He will be missed.

He rest now in peace.

Love Joe and Gloria Gentner 

OBITUARY

Erick R Lopez

December 6, 1979 – October 12, 2022

Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home

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