Eric Michael Nanneman was 48 years of age and born in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 6, 1973, and passed away in Phoenix, Ariz., on July 1, 2021. He held degrees with a Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education from Arizona State University and a Bachelor in Philosophy from The Pontifical College Josephinum and was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.
Eric was most recently a business and technology writer at The Western Journal with more than 20 years of investment and banking experience, including stints at Bank of America, Charles Schwab, and Goldwater Bank. He was previously securities registered, holding the Series 7, 63, 9 and 10 FINRA licenses.
He is survived by his fiancé, Elizabeth Maddox; parents, Verlee and Eugene Nanneman; son, Michael Nanneman; daughter-in-law, Amanda Nanneman; brother, Rob Nanneman; and nephew, Brock Nanneman.
His visitation will be on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m. with praying of the rosary at 6:30 p.m at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix. A funeral Mass will be held in his honor at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. with interment at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary and Cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, contributions and donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul.
Rhapsody Canepa
Dear Nanneman family,
We are truly sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. He was an amazing guy who we all loved so much. He was a blessing to the CRYS community where many of us met. He showed so many of us how to grow in our faith and get closer to God and for that we are all thankful. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
With our love and condolences,
The Canepa Family
Nick, Rhapsody & Ezekiel
Karen Nickols
I am so sad and heartbroken for us all. We lost a valuable treasure way to soon. I have to believe his work spreading the word of God was completed here on earth. He has a much bigger job to do from Heaven. We grieve for our own heartbreak and need to find comfort in the work he completed here on earth. This is what Eric strived for was to prepare himself and others for this moment to be with Jesus. He taught us all so much about our faith. He loved us all and always had a hug and a smile for me. We had a very close special and unique relationship. A party just wasn’t a party till Eric was there. He had a glow that could never be extinguished. I never knew anyone that was loved so much by so many people. He will never be gone to all who loved him in return. He achieved what the rest of us are still here working towards…the state of grace to be called home to Jesus. He just got there sooner than we or he may have liked to be. I had not seen him in about 6 years but with a rare phone conversation and through occasional emails the connection was still there. I still will continue my communication to him he is not gone in my heart and has just left for his ultimate destination where I hope to see him and get that big hug again. I love you Eric always have and always will. I know you are so happy right now to see the face of Jesus. If you could send us a postcard you would. Till we meet again. Hugs, Karen
Brigit Ciccarello
Eric was the most beautiful, kind, funny, charismatic, compassionate, patient, loving soul ever born. Truly. His capacity to love and forgive was absolutely other-worldly. His legacy of love and kindness will last through eternity. His laughter, sense of humor, warmth and tenderness changed the world. He changed everyone he met! He was an angel on earth for so many people. His unshakable faith was his bedrock, his touchstone, his hope and his life. No one’s eyes sparked like his baby blues, cherub cheeks laughed liked his, nor soul resounded with the joy of life like his. May you have the freedom, peace, unconditional love and comfort YOU deserve. No one deserves it more than you. I hope they have prime rib, carne asada, Starbucks Sumatra with 2 Equals and cream, reruns of 30 Rock, and your perfect view of Camelback Mountain in heaven. May your truly Rest In Peace, my dear, dear Eric. You will never, ever be forgotten. I love you and so does everyone who’s ever met you. Thank God for you!
Adam Richards
Dear Nanneman family,
We are so heartbroken at the loss of our dear friend, Eric. He taught us so much about our faith and he influenced so many lives that one can only imagine. He will truly be missed, but never forgotten. His memory will live on in our hearts and we will always cherish the time spent with him. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
We love you,
The Richards Family
Adam, Teresa, Andrew, Benji & Emmett
Jeanne Kittelson
I am so so sorry.
PATRICIA DORAN
Dear Nanneman family,
We didn’t know Eric personally, although we knew him from seeing him around STA. May all who knew him be consoled in God’s holy mercy. May he rest in God’s eternal embrace of infinite love.
In Jesus’ love,
The Chris Doran Family
Olga Cedillo
I first met Eric at CRYS #35. I remember thinking how does someone have so much love for our God. He made me want to be a better Catholic and human. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Elizabeth and his family. May Eric’s soul be at peace with our Heavenly Father. Eric will always hold a special place in our hearts. He made us all better people and better Catholics. Much love from the Cedillo family.
Veronica Lucas
There are no words to express my deepest condolences to Eric’s family and fiance’, Elizabeth. Eric was one of my closest friends and I was truly devastated by his passing. We worked retreats together, both CRYS and Cursillo Renewal, and held each other up in tough times. He was my brother in Christ, my friend, my confidante. He was joyful, loving, and compassionate. He played a great game of Texas Hold’em and liked Euchre and 3-13 as well. I will miss his signature sayings like “I’m easy like Sunday morning” and “I practically insist!” He gave great hugs and knew just what to say whenever I was down. I will miss him terribly. However, I know how much Eric loved The Lord and I know how committed he was to his Catholic faith. I know he is rejoicing in Heaven, never again to experience the trials and tribulations of our Earthly life. When I think of Eric I vow to think of his glowing smile, his passion for learning more about his faith and Our God and most of all how welcoming and loving he was to everyone. All my prayers for healing to those who grieve him most deeply and love to all who knew him. In Christ, Veronica “V” Lucas
Maria Calvey
Dear Nanneman Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Eric was a very big influence for me to grow in my Catholic faith; he pinned me down to coming to CRYS activities even when I didn’t feel I could fit 1 more thing into my schedule. 🙂 He modeled occasions of self-sacrifice and deepening one’s personal relationship with our Lord.
Just like us all, he had ups and downs; yet, he didn’t give up in always coming back to what God would want him to do.
I am soo grateful I got to know Eric and CRYS wouldn’t have been what it was without him.
May you all be comforted knowing he is in heaven.
Love, Maria Calvey
Brad Hays
I knew Eric from a number of years ago, when we were both in CRYS. He was a good friend and always had something uplifting to say. His warm personality, welcoming demeanor and interesting tales will be missed.
Looks like you have the bauer, now my friend.
God Bless,
Brad Hays
Ambria
So many of us were privileged to know Eric. Countless knew him as a staple face on the altar. Others as a prolific writer and businessman. Some as a seminarian. Then there are those who were privileged to know him throughout all of those vocations in addition to his calling as son, brother, father, family member, and friend.
Those who encountered him knew at some level, or at least sensed, that Eric spent a long time pursuing holiness for himself and gently encouraged those around him to do the same. While it is rarely easy to suddenly lose a loved one on earth, it is fitting that he was called from this life on the feast of the patron saint of vocations to Church ministry. That said, he was also a very down-to-earth guy and a joy to be around.
I was privileged to have the Holy Spirit match us up as prayer partners for a faith-based retreat. Only God knew the model I needed in Eric’s example on the parenting front. I don’t know the tally, but he also wore the titles of godfather and sponsor well. The Church is a stronger place because of his example and commitment to those roles. As many have reminisced, the secular world is also a better place because of his genuine soul, smile, and laughter.
Ellen L Bretzke
Nanneman Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Eric. I joined my friend Michelle Boston on a weekend gathering of friends in Flagstaff many years ago, which included Eric. I met many fabulous people that weekend, and remember Eric especially for his joyful personality. My prayers are with him and all of you today as you grieve the loss of this wonderful, Godly man.
Paz,
Ellen Bretzke
Pontifical College Josephinum
The seminarians, faculty, staff, and the administration of the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, send their love, prayers, and deepest sympathies to the Nanneman Family during this time of loss. “Réquiem æternam dona ei, dómine. Et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Requiescat in Pace. Amen. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he Rest In Peace. Amen. ”
Logan Harris
Hello Nanneman family,
My condolences and prayers go out to your family. I produce the podcast that Eric was on a few times with us. From the few months that I knew him, he was a lovely man and always had a smile on his face. He will most definitely be missed by The Western Journal team.
Sandi
Comfort and peace surround you at this time, Eric was a wonderful human being
Tom and Kelley Wehmeyer and Patty Wehmeyer
Verlee, Gene, and Rob and Eric’s family. My sincere condolences again on Eric’s passing. I will always remember the times spent with your family as special. Although many, many years ago, Eric will live in my memory as that chunky 8 or 9 year old who tagged along with Rob and I and spent time critiquing us and our antics. My mom also wanted to pass along her wish for healing as well.
Bill Brophy
So thankful to have known you. You blessed many. Good man, Eric. Vaya con Dios!
Marge Kemp
Eric, was joy to have here at St. Mary’s, Livingston MT. He was so caring and full of the Holy Spirit. He will be missed.
Our prayers are with you and with Eric.
Herb and Marge Kemp
Michelle Boston
Nanneman Family,
The Boston Family send their deepest sympathies, love, and prayers. My daughter and I were blessed to have met such a one of a kind, jovial spirit. May his soul Rest In Peace.