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.
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.