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Houma native Erich Spiers loved for the people around him to be happy – he was the kind of guy who always somehow knew the right thing to say to put a smile on your face when things weren’t going your way.
He loved soccer and the New Orleans Saints. He played futbol for most of his life, and he followed the Black and Gold every step of the way – good or bad.
He was also a movie junkie. His mother Pam Spiers touts that her son’s movie trivia was the best she’d ever seen. Even the smallest, most obscure facts couldn’t escape her son. He knew ‘em all.
But more important than it all, Erich Spiers was a loving, family man who would do anything for his wife Brooke, his four children and his two grandchildren – the people he often called the lights of his life.
Spiers died on Dec. 13, 2014 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 42.
Family members remembered Spiers this week for his fun-loving personality and his ability to touch others through his actions.
Spiers was an IT Specialist at Schlumberger at the time of his passing. He was also a former Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy and member of the U.S. Navy for which he served for 11 years.
“Erich was so nurturing and caring, a true family man,” his wife Brooke Spiers remembered of her husband. “He was always there for his family and friends. When I first met him, I got such a sense of comfort and calm from him. He was my soul mate. We enjoyed so many mutual likes and understanding of life.”
For Erich Spiers, the love for life and happiness started from an early age. He is the oldest of two boys born to Craig and Pam Spiers.
His mother said that Erich was advanced from the earliest days of his life.
“As a child, he was very talkative and energetic – always busy and inquisitive,” Pam Spiers said. “He talked early, walked early and could ride a two-wheel bike at 3 years old.”
As Erich Spiers grew older, he developed his love for soccer and movies – two passions that stayed with him for his life.
When not practicing those two hobbies, he was almost undoubtedly with his younger brother Dustin Spiers, who said that his big brother was one of his best friends in the world.
The family spent a lot of time camping when Erich and Dustin were younger. When they were there, the two brothers would often make their way to the sticks for a little peace and relaxation.
“As kids, we were inseparable – I was his shadow,” Dustin Spiers remembered. “We spent a lot of time in the woods of Mississippi camping. If we weren’t camping, we would be playing soccer or skateboarding. My best memories I have with Erich is that we shared a room for 13 years, so we had lots of quality time with each other laying in our beds before we fell asleep, talking about things that happened during that day … bonding time amongst brothers.”
As Erich Spiers grew older, his family tree grew branches. He had four children (Craig Anthony Spiers, Anjelica Marie Spiers, Ravyn Nicole Spiers and Anna Marie DeRoche). He also had two grandchildren (Kendalyn and Kyson Spiers).
“He was a good, caring father of his four children,” Pam Spiers said. “He had a special relationship with each one.”
Those people, along with his loving wife Brooke, were the people who made Spiers tick, according to everyone asked.
Erich met Brooke in 2005 thanks to a little help from a mutual friend.
Their romance blossomed into marriage on April 14, 2012.
“We met through mutual friends, who happened to be my best friend, at Samurai Dragon,” Brooke Spiers said. “It wasn’t meant to be a setup, but our hearts locked immediately. He completed me.
“He was, above all, humble, respectful and loving. Erich was a pleasant, assuring man who could always lighten up your mood. His love for the simple things intrigued me and his heart was always genuine.”
A lover? Yes. Erich Spiers was that to most anyone who came in contact with him.
But in the final two years, Spiers proved that he was a fighter, too.
On the day of Erich Spiers’ 40th birthday, he was diagnosed with cancer. That diagnosis came on July 2, 2012.
He succumbed to the disease two and a half years later, but his positivity through the fight inspired everyone around him.
Those close to Spiers tout that he never complained through treatments and always kept his charm, even when he didn’t feel his best.
It’s why even in his passing, those closest to him tout that his spirit still lives on through all of those that he touched.
“Erich’s existence in my life, his love and understanding of life, has given me so much hope, love, peace, comfort and faith beyond measure,” his wife said.
“Am I proud of Erich? I couldn’t be prouder,” his mom Pam added. “Erich was a positive, non-judgmental man who accepted others and never spoke ill of others. He fought to beat this disease. He wanted to live, and not leave his family. Erich is not a memory; he lives in each of us, who will always love him.”
