Not the way I wanted to start

News started spreading through the Nashville Predators family about the passing of Preds TV play-by-play voice Willy Daunic ‘s spouse Erin yesterday morning after a year-long bout with cancer. Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to Evy, Mahoney, Willy and Erin’s entire family in this time of grief. I’d like to share some thoughts and memories of this very special person.

Erin Daunic lit up a room whenever she entered it, with a thousand watt smile and a personality to match, she was indeed a presence wherever she went. She was a real force in the community, working tirelessly for STARS Nashville and other charities. As the Development Director for STARS, she raised money and put on events, all to serve the youth of the Nashville community. Her impact will continue to be felt for years to come.

Erin had a way of making you feel 10 feet tall, that you were so special, her hugs were legendary, her laugh… oh that laugh. It was so genuine, so infectious. Her greeting to me every time I saw her was “Hello you big beautiful man!” I’m going to miss that greeting.

Willy and Erin attended my daughter’s wedding a few years back. As with all weddings, thing go a bit sideways, in this case, due to a passing thunderstorm, the wedding venue lost power about 30 minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to start. The power outage took out everything and caused the kitchen to shut down, so, food preparation was out of the question. No music, no nothing, well, at least the bar was open!

Erin, that big heart showing, went to my daughter, gave her a beer and asked her what she could do to help. That simple act of kindness, of caring tells all about this person. That kindness and caring is in such short supply these days and knowing that a great source of it is gone is upsetting. The world is simply less fun, less positive without her in it. Her light will be sorely missed.

Rest well Erin. You did a great job as a mother, a spouse, a friend and as a person. We will look after Willy and the fam down here, know how much you were loved and how much you will be missed.