Eric Patrie

In July of 2011 our good friend and fellow Delray Beach, FL firefighter, Eric Patrie, had a seizure out of the blue. He was taken to Delray Medical Center and shortly after, diagnosed with cancerous brain tumor. It’s called a glioma, anaplastic astrocytoma to be exact, and it was already at grade 4 which is serious. He was only 36 years old. Through the last year Eric and his family have endured many brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and, when these treatments weren’t working, he traveled every two weeks to Duke University in North Carolina to participate in clinical trials for experimental cancer treatments.

Eric is an extraordinary man, loved by so many people, and the kind of guy who would do anything for you. He has always been the first one to help when anyone needed it, and chose a career in which he could help others. Eric was promoted to Paramedic in 1999 and then to Driver Engineer in 2003. He attained many certifications throughout his years with Delray Beach Fire Rescue including Hazmat Technician and Dive Rescue for water rescues and recoveries. Eventually he was assigned to the Special Operations Station. Eric likes a challenge and he likes to help people. He is selfless to the core. It occurred to me that during this entire battle he has undergone, not one time has he complained, not once has he said, “why me?” He is the best friend anyone could have and my personal hero.

He married his high school sweetheart, Kim, in October of 2000, a year after starting his job with the fire department in Delray Beach, and they just celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary and 22 years together. They have two beautiful daughters, Morgan who will be 5 in January and Riley who is just a year old this month. This is not the life Eric and Kim had planned. He is slowly losing his battle with brain cancer and his young family will be without him soon.

This page was created to help put together various fundraisers to help Eric and Kim deal with the financial burden of this devastating disease. They need your help and I am asking you to visit the website that has been set up in Eric’s name, firefighterericpatrie.com. You will be able to make direct donations to the Trust Fund which has been set up to help the family on the website through paypal or by going to any Wells Fargo and ask to donate to Kimberly Patrie in Delray Beach for direct donations into the Eric Patrie Family Trust Fund. There is also a link posted on the Delray Beach Firefighter and Paramedic Benevolent Fund website more ...