Eric J. Portinari

Eric J. Portinari, 62, of Lancaster, NH, passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 25, 2025.

He was born in Manchester, NH on August 5, 1962, the son of Joseph and Suzanne (Goulet) Portinari. For the past 24 years, Eric dedicated his life’s work to the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods where he served as a Breakfast Chef Supervisor. Here he took care of everyone as if they were one of his own; sharing tidbits of his life advice and wisdom, and always making sure everyone had a smile on their face and were well fed. He was like a second father to many, and took great pride in making sure all felt welcomed once they stepped into the kitchen. He will be deeply missed by those who had the pleasure of working with him.

Eric was an extreme skier and cyclist, and never missed a day of skiing in the winter, nor a day of cycling in the summer months. Some would say he was a legend at Cannon Mountain. Inspired by the love of his sports, Eric donned many nicknames bestowed upon him by his family and friends throughout the years: ‘Von Zipper,’ ‘E,’ ‘McFly,’ ‘Hollywood,’ ‘Big Mountain,’ and ‘The Cyclepath,’ to name a few. A minimalist in life, he took pleasure in the simplicities. Eric, a true ‘man of the mountain,’ loved his life in the White Mountains and the beauty of the natural wonders that surrounded him daily. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul, and was loved by everyone who met him. In the summers, he enjoyed taking yearly family vacations at Hills Beach, ME – spending days swimming in the ocean, soaking up the sun, cycling around ‘the gut,’ taking walks out to the island, playing games of kitty whist around the table, and nightly bonfires where the entire family shared laughs and stories

Eric is survived by his wife, Jane Antoine Portinari; his daughter and pride and joy, Emma Antoine-Portinari and her partner, Kyle Doner of Boston, MA; his parents Joseph and Suzanne of Pembroke, NH; two brothers, Jay Portinari of Manchester, NH and Shane Portinari of Pembroke, NH; two sisters, Kristin Demers and her husband Daniel of Boscawen, NH, and Joelle Michaud and her husband Craig of Hooksett, NH; sister-in-law Ilene Quintana Malette; and eight nephews and nieces: Evelyn Portinari, Joe Portinari, his wife Irene and son Joey, Jeremy Demers and his wife Innes, Rachel Demers and her husband Kyle Jalbert, Jesse Demers and his partner Margaret Kennedy, and Cooper, Caden, and Ryson Michaud.

A celebration of his life will be scheduled in the weeks to come, please stay tuned for more information to follow. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium is in charge of arrangements. To view an online tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.