Erik, age 16, was taken from us on January 22, 2018. His young life was cut much too short following a tragic motor vehicle crash in which he was a passenger.
Erik was caring, smart, creative, shy, and observant. He loved the outdoors, nature, fixing things – engines and boat motors – and was an avid fisherman. When Erik was not out on the water bringing in his next catch, he was active as a dual enrolled student at Fort Myers High School and Florida Southwestern College, carrying an A average.
He started running at the young age of 7 at the Allen Park Elementary run club and he completed many races including the Tofte Trek, an arduous 10k trail race in northern Minnesota at the age of 8 and the entire Hooters half marathon in Fort Myers at the age of 9 – just because he wanted to.
In the summers, Erik loved spending time with his grandpa in Grand Marais, Minnesota, helping him restore the historical Bally Blacksmith Shop and working at his grandpa’s sawmill. He also took pride in working as a deckhand on a fishing charter boat (North Shore Outdoors) on Lake Superior.
Erik currently enjoyed running track and cross country on the Fort Myers High School team. He also loved his part time job at Il Pomodoro Restaurant in the evenings.
His organs were donated, in hopes of bettering the lives of others. True to his character, this was his wish.
He is survived by his mother Nadine B. Maki, OD; his father Michael W. Babatz, OD; his brother Evan Babatz; his grandmother Karen Bjorkman; his grandfather Duane Ege (Joan); his grandfather and grandmother Cal and Ann Maki; his grandmother Norma Babatz; and many other loving family members and friends.
The family and friends of Erik are absolutely devastated by this tremendous loss.
Erik’s motivational word for a class in school was STRENGTH. “I will try harder and not give up. Life has its ups and downs and Strength will help me get through the tough moments.”
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