Mr. Eric Richard Schleif, 69, husband of Eileen (Greene) Saady Schleif and a resident of Parksley, passed away at home Thursday, April 29, 2021.
Born Aug. 12, 1951, in Rhode Island, he was the son of Carl Schleif and Rosemarie Jaenecke Schleif. Eric was a longtime paramedic, working with both Accomack and Northampton counties, NASA, and Parksley Volunteer Fire Company. Most recently, he worked with Shore Transport Services. Throughout his career, Eric instructed many EMT and CPR courses. He devoted his life to helping others, which carried over to many volunteer efforts as well. “How may I help you?” was a question Eric asked many through the years, always willing to assist however needed.
Growing up in Rhode Island, he gained an appreciation and love of the open water that continued throughout his life. He enjoyed scuba diving, sailing, and spending time on three different sailboats he had owned. Eric and Eileen treasured time sailing together along the East Coast and in the Caribbean, and they were members of the Onancock Sailing Squadron. To celebrate their wedding anniversary each year, they would plan to visit a new island. Eric passed away less than a week before their 27th anniversary.
He was a member of St. Thomas United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and directed the youth choir. He participated in two mission trips, one to Haiti and the other to Paraguay. Eric enjoyed music, and played the harmonica, autoharp, guitar, and drums.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two children, Dietrich Schleif (Sally), of Greenbush, and Jessica S. Granroth (husband, Eric), of Camden-Wyoming, Del.; grandchildren, John Schleif and Django Granroth; a sister, Paula Schleif, of Sebring, Fla.; his children’s half-brother, Joshua Grover, and his son, Zachary; a nephew and niece, Carl Schleif and Erin Schleif; stepson-in-law, Michael R. Turner Jr.; step-grandson, David Turner (wife, Kayla), and their daughter, Allison; and sisters-in-law, Anita Satterwhite (husband, Brian), Eve Anna Greene, Betty Hrubes, Brenda Custis (husband, Ned) and their families.
In addition to his parents, Eric was predeceased by a granddaughter, Seraphina Granroth; a brother, Victor Schleif; stepdaughters, Nikki Saady Turner and Kara Beth Saady; and a step-granddaughter, Emma Mackenzie Turner.
To honor Eric’s wishes and in his final way of helping others, his body was donated to science.
Memorial donations may be made to the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 14, Parksley, VA 23421, where Eric was a life member with 32 years of service and served as rescue captain, rescue lieutenant, chaplain, and on their board of directors; or to a charity of your choice.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
