Press Releases

One of the Textile Industry’s Greatest Warriors, Eric Melfi, Has Passed Away

Published

9 years ago

November 12, 2014

One of the textile industry’s greatest warriors, Eric Melfi passed away October 3, 2014 at the young age of 54, the result of a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Eric began his career in our industry with Harlequin Nature Graphics in Ft. Myers, Florida. He then moved from production to the manufacturing side of the business with Precision Screen Machines, where he traveled the world, installing and demonstrating printing equipment. The next 20 years brought management positions with world class decorators including Starter, Screenworks USA and most recently, Hybrid Apparel. The pinnacle of his career was as the plant manager of Skips Cutting, Ephrata, PA and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Skips was widely recognized at the time Eric was at the helm, as being the largest totally vertical, textile embellishing company in the Western hemisphere.

Bill Christensen, an industry colleague, co-worker, supplier and longtime friend of Eric, who had the privilege of visiting with him in Columbus, OH, shortly before his passing said, “Eric had the ability to manage hundreds of employees, hit production schedules, handle the pressures of major labels and maintain a sense of humor. Eric Melfi was a one in a million personality, larger than life itself and intimidated by nothing.”

Those who knew him will miss him terribly. His quick wit and sense of humor were ever present! No one had the ability to use single syllable adjectives as creatively as Eric.

He was truly larger than life!

Eric died surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Tona Melfi, daughter Erica Hasburgh, his parents, two sisters, brother, step-son, step-daughter and several grandchildren.

Let’s Talk About It

Creating a More Diverse and Inclusive Screen Printing Industry

LET’S TALK About It: Part 3 discusses how four screen printers have employed people with disabilities, why you should consider doing the same, the resources that are available, and more. Watch the live webinar, held August 16, moderated by Adrienne Palmer, editor-in-chief, Screen Printing magazine, with panelists Ali Banholzer, Amber Massey, Ryan Moor, and Jed Seifert. The multi-part series is hosted exclusively by ROQ.US and U.N.I.T.E Together. Let’s Talk About It: Part 1 focused on Black, female screen printers and can be watched here; Part 2 focused on the LGBTQ+ community and can be watched here.