NELLISTON - On Thursday April 26th, 2012, Lieutenant Commander Eric Francis Mang, 40, of Summerville, SC died suddenly of a heart attack while on a two-week drill in Japan for the U. S. Navy Reserves. He was born on July 29, 1971, son of George and Irene (Hazard) Mang. Eric was a 1989 graduate of Fort Plain High School where he excelled in music as a French horn, trumpet, guitar, violin, banjo, and piano player. During this time, Eric was an active part of the music ministry at Valley Alliance Church where he was a member. In 1993, he received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Nyack College with a concentration in French horn. During his time at Nyack, Eric was very active in his church playing guitar for the worship band at Simpson Memorial Church. Eric was then employed in Vermont as a music educator, while also teaching skiing lessons, and then in Pennsylvania, while also teaching private music lessons. He then went into music business working at Sam Ash Music for another 2 years. On Nov. 4th, 1997 Eric enlisted for active duty in the United States Navy. He started his career as a Navy Musician. In the summer of 2000 Eric graduated from Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL. In spring 2001, he graduated from Surface Warfare Officer School in Rhode Island and from there, was assigned to the USS Yorktown and then to the USS Ticonderoga among other ships. In the years to come, Eric was stationed around the world in Saudi Arabia as well as Japan and was able to learn several languages. In 2011, Eric was discharged from active duty with the US Navy and began his career with the US Navy Reserves. It was at this time that he also began employment as a Sr. Consultant in Engineering and Operations with Booz Allen Hamilton in North Charleston, SC. Eric was also once again active in his church as a musician. Eric was best known for his fun loving personality and love for life. He encouraged everyone to be and do the best they could, and taught by his example. He loved his family and always looked forward to the times when everyone could be together for holidays. His favorite hobbies included playing music with friends, tinkering with his Land Rover, and working in his gardens at his new home. Eric is the son of Irene and the late George Mang. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife Cirilina Mendoza Mang and son Lucas of Summerville, SC; and his son Erik "Ricky" and daughter Rebekah, of Mount Joy, PA; and sister Barbara Burditt and brother-in-law Joseph of Little Falls, NY, brother James Mang and sister-in-law Tamara of Nelliston, NY, sister Kathy Eikost and brother-in-law Mark working internationally in Bosnia, sister Colleen Petrie and brother-in-law Albert of Caroga Lake, NY, and brother Mark Berry and sister-in-law Marilyn of Maine. Survivors also include several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Calling hours will be from 4-6pm on Thursday, May10, 2012 at the Valley Alliance Church, 85 E Main St Nelliston, NY 13410. A funeral service will follow at 6pm with Pastor Dave Prahst. Full military honors will be presented by the U.S. Navy The family is being cared for by the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville, John P. Lewandowski, Funeral Director. To offer an online message of sympathy plase go to www.eneafamily.com "Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none." -Benjamin Franklin