The passing of Eric Harkins

[Brew56]

It's with a heavy heart that I pass along the news of Eric Harkins (7-K) passing away on 9-2-08 from cancer. He was 38. Eric fought a very tough battle against this terrible disease for nearly a year. Eric raced 25ssR and CSR in TRORA for quite a few years when he was younger. He was one of those drivers who could really drive a runabout and drive it well.

I have many fond memories growing up at the races with Eric. He was always the one to bring the best fireworks at all our river races during the summer.

My deepest sympathy goes out to his parents Dave and Margaret Harkins, sister Holly, wife and 2 young sons.

http://www.meyerfuneral.com/

[hmiskerik]

Our deepest sympathies go out to the Harkins family (Dave, Margaret, and Holly) and to Eric's wife and son's (Karyn, Henry and Jason) on your terrible loss.

Although Eric had been away from boat racing for a while, he is always part of the boat racing family. As Jerry mentioned, I think back to many of the Three Rivers races and Nationals that we would see Eric at and remember the good times - skateboarding, fireworks, and just hanging out and having fun.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Mark, Heather, Nik and Natalie Miskerik
and
Gary and Carol Miskerik

[Jeff5P]

Eric

Our deepest sympathies to all of Eric's family. May your memories of all the good times help you through this terrible time. You're in our hearts and prayers.

Jeff and Mary Williams

[Howie Nichols]

Best wishes to the Harkins. It was great to see Dave @ the OPC races and Erik made a few as well so we could rehash the first turn. We will miss you buddy.

The Nichols

[Brian10s]

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife Karyn and son's Henry and Jason and Eric's parents Dave and Margaret and sister Holly on their loss.

Eric started racing not to much after me and I still remember battling chine to chine in J runabout against his 7.5 Merc. Eric and Dave were staples at all the TRORA races through the early 90's and had some very fast 25SSR Mercs. Eric was a very great rollup runabout driver and a good friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.

And yes, he also had some great fireworks that got us all in some hot water once or twice.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,

Brian, Tammy, Tiffany & AJ Williams

[Norm Schaub]

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Harkins family.
May God bless and keep you strong in this time of your loss.
The Schaub Family

[Brew56]

memories

Couple things I forgot to mention. The more I think about Eric, the more I remember. I can still hear that distinct laugh Eric always had. It was the kind of laugh when he was up to something! And he made us all laugh at the races. He was a joy to be around, always kidding with us guys in the pits and especially after the races were over.

I'll never forget Zanesville, Ohio on the river. Eric was down near the water with us when some of us kids were sitting in the club rescue boat late at night. My brother's friend (who couldn't swim) was still in the boat after the rest of us got out. Now this was on the Muskingum River which flows very fast. Eric decided to pull a prank and send "Smoz" down river after letting go of the rope! The look on our parent's faces was priceless as the rescue boat was floating down river with Smoz at the helm and no clue how to start it. Just before he was about to leave the boat and swim to shore, a local pulled him in. My brother was blamed for it but I know he still laughs about it to this day.

Eric sure was a funny guy. We'll miss him deeply.

Jerry Brewster

[Blackhawkguy]

Very sorry to hear!

Sorry for the news about Eric, always remember when the Harkins clan came to the races, very nice people and always had good stuff. My deepest condolences to the Harkins family, life is truly to short.

Kerry

[JoBrewster]

We will all miss Eric...but will not forget him!!

Special and sincere condolences to the entire Harkins and Hyman Families on Eric's passing away yesterday 9/2/08 at 4:30 a.m. at the Hospice Hospital.

Good thing I read through Jerry's thread here, saw where he told about Eric's antics at the Zanesville race. I was planning on telling the same story, and yes we knew he did it - as Referee there I investigated the whole scary shenanigans. One thing I didn't know was about the fireworks but our kids loved those too.

Jack and I watched the whole thing from the bank when we heard Mike yelling for help, and since we brought Mike Smozney to the race with us felt the worst was about to happen. I knew he couldn't swim. We never told Eric's parents who was at fault since no harm was done, hence our one son got the blame by our choice. The things we do and did for you kids...ha ha lol...

As soon as I read about Eric's laugh I could actually hear it, yes he was a fun kid and turned into one hell of a boat racer thanks to his dad's tutilage. Eric's dad Dave was a referee years ago, his mom Margaret helped a ton on the judges stand for which we were all greatful. You raised a wonderful lad, so glad to have seen a lot of his growing up years.

The Harkins family is always giving - they invited our third son Jon to come down to Louisville University basketball camp one summer and stay at their place. So, Jon was put on a plane at age 15 at Akron Airport one afternoon -- but when he saw the plane he was about to board he almost changed his mind, it was some kind of boxcar plane they use in the service, lol - lol. Jon said it was a really bumpy first airplane ride, and scared the beegeebers outta him. The Harkins family and Eric sure had a good laugh over this.

Dave and Margaret took the boys out to a nice fancy dinner restaurant one night on the Ohio River before Jon flew back. Dave and Eric talked Jon into getting froglegs since he never had them before and they told Jon they tasted just like "chicken". Well, Jon loved chicken but he never forgot those froglegs and talks about them often - said, "never again" but he didn't have the heart to tell Dave he didn't want to eat them, lol. Did he eat them or hide them, guess you have to ask Jon...bet he thinks of Eric every time he hears about froglegs, ha ha...

Our hearts are so heavy for our good friends Dave, Margaret, Holly & son Chris; Karyn (Eric's wife), and sons Henry and Jason too. We can really see Eric in the boys, they are so handsome just like their Dad. God Speed to Eric, he's now our boat race Angel, and will be really busy watching over all our races now and in the future. The 3-minute gun just went off in Heaven...green flag!!

Jack and Joan Brewster in Ohio

[14-H]

Deepest Condolences from the Hearns

The Hearns and the Harkins were very close boat racing families. We used to travel to Florida nearly every spring with the Lovelaces. Eric was one of my first good boat racing friends. I haven't seen him in many years. I remember that distinctive laugh, his fast J Runabout and his ability to drive a 25 Runabout that few had. He was a great guy who loved to have fun.

When Eric quit racing, our opportunity to stay connected went away. It is with a very heavy heart that I remember him today. May God take him to paradise.

Ed Hearn.

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

Through the website, "caring bridge" we were able to keep up with Eric's progress over the past ten months and it kept us in high hopes that all would be fine. It is hard to believe this young man, father and husband is gone.

I recently helped a new driver get started with his 25 runabout and I was thrilled to hear he finished both days at Top O. I wish I could have told Eric that his old boat made the trip.

The back of my helmet has the numbers of racing friends that have left us. I add them when they pass so they can continue to race with me.
With a very heavy heart, my sons and I added the 7-K last night and Eric will race with me and the others at Grass Lake this weekend.

See you in the first turn Eric.
Jeff

[Brew56]

Ed & Jeff,

Those are great stories to hear. The 7-K will go on my helmet at Franklin as well.

Thanks guys.

[Jon55SBrew]

A Farewell To My Good Friend....

As I try my best to add my condolences to this thread, I am am lost in this world right now to lose such a close friend, racer and person.. Eric and I were very close and approximately 1 month apart in age (him being the elder). I have many, many fond memories of Eric.. Zanesville(as mentioned above), Florida, basketball camp in Louisville, etc..
Eric Harkins was a great guy, a great boat racer, a great father, a great son, a great brother and a great person in general.
I have owned one of Eric's last race boats, a CSR and motor, which him and his dad built together. These our now cherished items to me. The 7-K(Eric's boat number) will be with me forever on...
Dave, Margret and Holly : My sorrow for you is unbelievable and my prayers our always with you.
Your family is and has always been the best that there is.
With Great Sympathy,
Jon Brewster