Eric Emmel

Eric James Emmel, aged 53, passed away unexpectedly due to natural causes on January 19, 2024, in Green Bay, WI.
Born on Independence Day in 1970, Eric was the son of James W. Emmel and Mary J. Emmel.
Eric graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1988. At East, Eric excelled in track and football earning both All-Metro and All-Conference honors as an Outside Linebacker. If you really want to turn back the glory day machine, he held the record for the 200M Dash for many years at Washington Middle School too.
Eric's academic journey included some institutionally mandated breaks in his education, but he persevered and earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Despite attractive offers from prestigious organizations like Lehman Brothers, Blackrock, and even the CIA, Eric chose a career in the building supply industry, where he became fondly known as "The Sultan of Aluminum Siding."
A man who relished a fine film, a hearty meal, a quality beer, and the Green Bay Packers, Eric's infectious laughter and singing voice won him friends everywhere he went.
Eric took his love of singing to the next level later in life and joined his father as a member of Green Bay Baylanders Barbershop Chorus. Together, father and son redefined harmonic synergy. A reporter once wrote, “When the Emmel boys sing, the clouds part and heaven smiles on us all”.
His greatest pride were his daughters, Carly and Allison Emmel. Despite the distance between them, Eric's face would light up with pride when he spoke of his daughters and the accomplished young women they have become.
Eric was a reflective man, keeping a journal filled with personal musings, inspirational quotes, and song lyrics. His favorite quote, by Albert Einstein, was "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Eric didn’t care if you were chunky or skinny; short or tall; rich or poor; white, black, brown, purple; a Rhodes scholar or high school drop-out. He cared if you were a good person. If you were, and even if you weren’t, he’d give his last dime if needed and you were a better person for knowing him.
Eric leaves behind his daughters, his father James William Emmel, his brother Matthew William Emmel, Aunts Wally and Christine Emmel, and a host of first and second cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Mary Jean Emmel, grandparents Karl and Christine Emmel, uncles Robert, John, Gus Emmel, and Jack Erdmann, aunts Esther (Emmel) Erdmann, Marie, and Mavis Emmel, and cousin Martha Erdmann.
The family expresses deep appreciation for the outpouring of support since Eric's passing. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for March 9th, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Abby in De Pere, WI. Friends, family, and acquaintances are all welcome to join in remembering Eric with stories, laughter, and a toast in his memory.
By Matthew William Emmel