Eric Kane

Eric Lobb Kane, 67, went to meet our Lord on Aug. 30, 2008.

Mr. Kane was born in Media, Pa., on March 23, 1941. New Bern became his home in 1978.

Eric was a humble man who would never boast about himself, so it is our great honor to let the world know how wonderful he was. Among his many contributions to his community, he was a member and deacon of Temple Baptist Church as well as a teacher of the Sunday School Joy Class. Serving for years as a substance-abuse counselor, Eric also helped to initiate Celebrate Recovery. He spent countless hours as a volunteer and coach for the Special Olympics with his son, Jeremy. A member of the U.S. Marine Corps, he proudly served our country for 23 years. It could be said that Eric Kane was a soldier of love.

Armed with a seemingly endless flow of compassion, empathy and faith in God, he was a motivational inspiration to all who crossed his path. Having never met a stranger, it was one of his greatest pleasures to help people find and sustain their own light through his shining example and amazing talent for making people feel special. You could always count on hearing his gentle encouragements like, 'One day at a time,' or 'Be good to you.'

When he wasn't working on some angelic mission or another, you might find him working on a computer, reading science fiction, riding his motorcycle or sailing a boat.

Let it be known that whether it was his biological, adopted, foster or stepchild, he loved all of his children and grandchildren deeply and unconditionally. Words cannot express how dearly loved he was or how greatly he will be missed.