Freeport – Eric Dale Gilliam, 61, passed away peacefully on June 25 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Eric was born on February 16, 1956 in Bath, Maine. He was a son Roger and Clarina Gilliam. Eric grew up in Bath and attended Morse High School, graduating in the class of 1972. After high school he attended the University of Maine at Farmington.

Eric Gilliam was a life-long public servant, coach and caretaker both within his family and his community. During his nearly 40 years of public service he always sought to provide the best care for the patients and families he served, demonstrating compassion and kindness toward everyone he encountered. This was never better exemplified then in the past year when he made the decision to come out of retirement in order to serve as the Chief Operating Officer at Riverview Psychiatric Center. Additionally, as a committed family man, Eric took incredible joy in being a father, grandfather (or “Ampa” as he was affectionately called) and husband. He was an avid art and antique collector, who loved to garden and who looked forward to his annual adventures abroad with his wife Michele. He will be remembered as a thoughtful and warm man, who loved his children, adored his grandchildren and was devoted to his wife.

Eric is predeceased by his father Roger Gilliam; and his sisters Rhonda and Catherine Gilliam.

The family would like to thank the at New England Cancer Center in Brunswick and the Ultra Sound team at Midcoast Hospital for their loving and compassionate care.

He is survived by his loving wife Michele; daughters, Amy and husband Dan Hammond of Windham, Anne and husband Steve Kopf of Cherry Hill, NJ and Ashley Briggs of Freeport; son Matthew Gilliam of Portland; mother, Clarina Gilliam and brother, Richard Gilliam both of Bath, Jeff and his wife Colleen of Wiscassett; his sister, Eleanor Healey of Bath; his grandchildren, Owen and Charlie Kopf. He will be sadly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Eric’s name be made to the Maine Special Olympics or the Maine Cancer Foundation.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, June 29 from 4-6 pm at David E Desmond Funeral Home 638 High St in Bath. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday June 30 at 2pm at St. Mary’s Church in Bath.

To express your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com