Eric Paul Crotty

September 25th, 2000 - April 29th, 2018

Biography

On a rainy Sunday afternoon last weekend, our beautiful son, Eric, left his home in N.D.G. to clear his head and tragically never returned.
He took his own life after suffering from social anxiety for three years. He was 17 years old.
Eric was surrounded by a family who adored him and teachers and classmates who enjoyed his good nature, humour and lovely smile. Despite this, his mental illness left him feeling lonely and isolated from his peers.
He grew up in a wonderful N.D.G. community of great family, friends and neighbours.
He attended Willingdon School, where he loved and excelled at math and geography, and shared Sheldon Cooper’s obsession with flags.
During his high school years at Collège de Montréal, Eric developed a passion for running, excelled at orienteering and became an accomplished math tutor.
In Secondary 4, he developed an acute case of social anxiety that inhibited his ability to socialize. He doggedly fought his illness and accepted all forms of help and treatment available to him.
With the support of his teachers and classmates, he graduated last spring and moved on to Marianopolis College to begin what he hoped would be a happier chapter in his life.
He joined the Reach for the Top trivia team and helped his team earn a spot in the Canadian championships later this month. He returned home enthused about all he had learned in his science and music classes and mused about studying chemistry in university. He was a member of the Montreal Ramblers orienteering club and played the Irish sport of hurling for the Montreal Shamrocks. He was making plans for the future and was excited to vote for the first time in this fall’s provincial election.
On most days, Eric was a happy young man with a ready smile and a lovely sense of humour.
He was making great progress tackling his social anxiety, but the unrelenting loneliness and isolation he felt became too much for him.
This wonderful, sweet young man will be desperately missed by his parents, Niall Crotty and Katherine Wilton, and his sister Sarah. He will be forever cherished by his grandmothers, Pat Wilton and Noreen Crotty, along with his aunts Naomi and Kelly Wilton, his uncle David Walker and his cousins Ryan Walker and Max Mital.
He had a great relationship with his relatives from Ireland, including his father’s 10 siblings, their spouses and his many cousins from Cork to Belfast.
Eric was predeceased by his grandfathers Garth Wilton and Dr. Thomas Crotty, and his uncle Bruno Mital.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 11, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Kane & Fetterly, 5301 Decarie Blvd., Montreal.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m. at Wesley United Church, 5964 Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Avenue, Montréal.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Eric's name can be made to the Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine. The foundation runs Espace Transition, a social reintegration program for youth with mental health problems.

	About
	Name	Eric Paul Crotty
	Date of Birth	September 25th, 2000
	Date of Death	April 29th, 2018
	Home Town	Montreal, QC, CA
	In Memoriam Donation	Espace Transition

	Memorial

	Funeral Home	Kane Fetterly
	Special Events	alaVida
	Address	Montreal QC Canada

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Tributes

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Bonnie Roach published a tribute .

Dear Kathrine, Niall, Sarah and family - we wish to extend our sincerest condolences on your unfathomable loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and in our hearts. The Bragagnolo Family.


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Andreas Blank published a tribute .

Dear Niall and family, may care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead. My most sincere condolences.


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Debbie Gray published a tribute .

Katherine and Niall, we saw Eric’s obituary in the Gazette this weekend and are completely stunned and saddened for your loss. While it’s been years since our kids played soccer together – Eric with Simon and Sarah with Zachary – we have fond memories of those days. It is always a pleasure bumping into you on the streets of NDG. You and your family personify for us all the things that are wonderful about our community. We grieve for your loss and offer our sincere condolences to both of you and Sarah. Sincerely, Stephane, Debbie, Simon and Zack


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Monica & David Searles published a tribute .

Our deepest condolences for your tragic loss. Such a tragedy, may he finally have the peace that he was unable to find in this world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.


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Cory Mckay published a tribute .

Eric was truly a joy to have as a student and to coach in our R4TT team. Everyone I have spoken to who knew him remembers him as a wonderful person, including classmates, teammates and teachers. I myself will remember him for his intelligence, creativity, friendliness and infectious humor. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.


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Eunice O Leary published a tribute .

Niall, Katherine, Sarah and family, you have been constantly in our thoughts this past while. Please know that all of Karen's family here in Ireland are so very sorry for your loss. We will remember Eric on May 12th as we all take part in the Darness into Light walk in his memory. We wish you strength in the days & weeks ahead. From the O' Leary family, Bandon, Co. Cork.


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Alissa Sklar published a tribute .

I am so sorry for your unimaginable loss. Your heartfelt message was incredibly moving and offered a glimpse of a remarkable young man, so clearly beloved. You did everything in your power to help him, love him, and lessen his burden, but in the end, he directed his own journey. His struggles were part of his story, and in sharing them so openly, you help combat the stigma around mental illness. You have no doubt inspired many. May his memory be a blessing and a comfort to you all in these difficult times and the years ahead.


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Betty Skagkos & Rob Goudreau published a tribute .

Dear Crotty and Wilton family, we send you our love and heartfelt prayers that you may find the strength you need to get through each day.


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Ruth Eliesen published a tribute .

To all of Eric’s Family and Friends, I was first moved by his sweet face and, after reading your gut-wrenching details of his too-short life and the pain he, and you, endured, I had to send this condolence to wish you all strength and courage during this time of loss. You are so brave to share how you did to perhaps help others suffering as Your precious Eric did. You are so articulate but then again, you lived it! As a mother and grandmother, I wish you no more sorrow and may this sweet young man RIP.


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Elizabeth Bright published a tribute .

Your heartfelt message and honesty written in today's Gazette prompted us to write and send you our deepest of condolences for your son. Thank you for sharing Eric's life history and illness. Your candid account of his life inspired us. May you be spared any further sorrow and may Eric rest in a complete peace under G-d 's grace. Rabbi and Elizabeth Bright and Family


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Ivan Losloso published a tribute .

I can't believe that is this happening...So sorry for your son....Such a great kid... Very kind peson...You have left me in shock... Condolences for the loss of your lovely Son... May he rest in peace..... R.I.P to my friend Eric Crotty... :(


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Nuri Gibert-Mitchell published a tribute .

Katherine, Niall and Sarah,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I can remember Eric so clearly as my three year old daycare student- so gentle and sweet, a bit shy and quick to smile and laugh. He was a really lovely boy. I will hold him and all of you in my heart and prayers.


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Shawn Apel And Donna Gold published a tribute .

We didn't know Eric, but we got such a beautiful sense of him through the obituary, and we wish we had. Our hearts are broken for you, and for Eric.


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Heidi Spector published a tribute .

My sincere condolences for the loss of your precious son. As a miother reading about Eric, I feel your pain and hope that somehow the support of others will give you some strength. Thank you for being open and honest and creating awareness about the challenges faced with mental illness. May your son be at peace.


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Sylvie Lafrenière published a tribute .

May I congratulate you on the write up in The Gazette. You shared your grief in public, while at the same time educating the public about social anxiety. Your words brought the illness into our own backyards and opened our eyes to a reality too often kept silent. I admire you on your courage and express to you my deepest condolences.


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Mike Boone published a tribute .

So sorry for your loss. May the family be spared further sorrow.


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Mary Spencer published a tribute .

There is no doubt that you are helping so many families with your beautiful loving tribute to Eric. My condolences to your family.


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John Kenney published a tribute .

Dear Katherine, I am heartbroken for you and your family--and I am heartbroken for Eric for the pain that this wonderful young man was going through. I am thinking of you Katherine.


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Louise Leonhardt published a tribute .

Niall and family, What devastating news ... I can only imagine the pain you are all going through losing a wonderful son and brother. My thoughts are with you.


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L.w. published a tribute .

I did not know Eric and your family. I am writing to let you know that others, strangers are sharing your pain. You are not alone. Thank you for bringing mental illness to the forefront, for speaking so openly and honestly. What an amazing family you were to him. May his memory be a blessing to you all. Sincere and heartfelt condolences from a mother and grandmother.


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Michelle published a tribute .

I did not know Eric however I wanted to thank you for putting into words what his struggle was and how it took his life. So many youth struggle with debilitating anxiety and never cry out for help. My own daughter struggles with it and we are trying everything we can to help her. Your family is one of many and I am very sorry that your son took his life . My hope is that your story can help other youth through the treatment program at Ste Justine Hospital. My deepest condolences to Eric’s family.
M. B


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Janice Turgeon published a tribute .

I read your loving tribute to your son in the Gazette and my heart is breaking for you. My 17 year old daughter suffers from anxiety and depression and she too accepts all help offered. It's a constant struggle and worry. I can't even being to imagine the pain you must be feeling. Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your son/brother. Thank you for sharing his struggle with mental illness. May you find peace in knowing your wonderful son was surrounded and supported by his family.


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Barbara Sidorowicz published a tribute .

Words will not be able to convey my feelings adequately. Although Eric touched our lives for only a short period of time, from the first time I met him I was impressed with his kindness, easy smile and patience. Noah and he bonded right away, sharing College de Montreal experiences. As a parent, I cannot fathom what you are feeling and going through now. Know that you are loved by your community, supported by friends. May you be able to find peace in your minds and in your hearts. For the very short time that Eric was with us, he made an indelible impression. Noah and I send you are heartfelt condolences.


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Rosa Caporicci published a tribute .

Dear Katherine and family. Though we only met a few times through our neighbours, Amelia, Len and Nathan, it is devastating to learn of your son's death. I grieve for you as his parents, for Sarah as his sibling, and for Eric himself and the pain he felt. You are in my thoughts.


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Derek Conlon published a tribute .

Dear Katherine and family, my deepest condolences on your loss. I was heartbroken reading your loving tribute to your son. Please know that we are all thinking of you.


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Sue Montgomery published a tribute .

My heart breaks for all of you and wish there was a way to ease your crushing pain. But know that your honesty and willingness in sharing your story and Eric’s struggle will surely help others suffering with mental illness. May we all work together to talk openly about our pain and to support one another. My thoughts are with you, Katherine, Niall and Sarah and your large loving family.


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Terri Tomalty published a tribute .

Dear Katherine, Niall, Sarah and family,
My heart breaks for you. I wish you strength during this most difficult of times. You are in my thoughts at all times.


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Marla Schuster published a tribute .

I didn’t know Eric or his family but I was touched by the obituary in the Gazette this morning. How brave of you to share Eric’s compelling journey that ended so tragically. My thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. I admire your openness - I believe it will help other families suffering with the same issues as your son.