Eric F. Chretien

Eric Chretien, age 49, passed away May 14th after losing his Lifelong Battle of Addiction at Berkshire Medical Center. 

Eric is survived by his Mother, Carla Prendergast and his Stepfather, Stephen of Pittsfield, his Father, Edward Chretien and his Stepmother, Gloria from N. Carolina, his brother Trevor Chretien and his wife Terry of Pittsfield, his brother Stephen Prendergast II from Pittsfield, his Maternal Grandmother Alice (Betty) Monahan of Greenacres, FL and his Maternal Grandfather Carl Mazza from Pittsfield.

Eric was born in Pittsfield and spent most of his life here.  In his younger years, Eric was always wearing a smile and was full of life.  He was an altar boy at St. Charles Church and he spent many happy hours playing basketball as part of the St. Charles team at the CYC as well as playing baseball for many years for the North Little League. He also was a fan of The Boston Celtics, Baltimore Orioles and The Miami Dolphins.  He was very grateful however for the gift of visiting Fenway Park in 2015 and seeing his first Red Sox/Yankee game. 

He attended Taconic High School and went on to obtain his GED and was most proud of completing a substance abuse counseling program through The Stratford Career Institute earning all A’s.  Eric spent some time at Freedom House in Palm Beach Florida and more recently several years ago at Steps 2 Solutions in Brockton, MA where he was blessed with a stretch of Sobriety and Gratitude.  Eric had a Heart of Gold and was very compassionate when he was not in the throws of battling his demons which unfortunately took its toll through most of his teen years and his entire adult life. 

As his Mom (and from his entire family), I would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the ICU at BMC as well as 5 West for the outstanding and loving care given to Eric and myself during his final days.  You will always have a special place in my heart!  A very Special Thank You to Dr. Alsmaan, Dr. Callahan, and Marcie, the Chaplain at BMC, who touched my heart deeply.  I would also like to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart to all those who helped Eric through the years that I never met. From staff at The Berkshire County House of Correction, Barton’s Crossing, PPD, EMTS, numerous angels at local churches and soup kitchens, as well as many others! God Bless you all!        

 I would also like extend a heartfelt Thank You to John Bresnahan and all the staff at Devanny’s for the excellent care given to us during this very difficult time. 

To conclude, I would like to leave all parents of addicts with this quote that I have held onto for years.  Please remember “All that love could do was done”!

Memorial donations In his name may be made through Devanny-Condron Funeral Home, 40 Maplewood Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201 in support of South Congregational Church Soup Kitchen or St Joseph’s Homeless center.