Eric Simon Ventura

HOOKSETT - Eric Simon Ventura, 25, died May 29, 2012.

He was born on Feb. 16, 1987, in Manchester, the son of Simon "Sam" and Lynne (Bonenfant) Ventura of Hooksett.

Eric graduated from West High School in 2005 and attended NHTI in Concord, studying architecture.

Eric had a creative and sensitive soul, an amazing artistic talent, with a heart full of compassion. He touched the lives of so many with his bright smile and fun-loving personality. Eric could brighten any room. His sense of humor was contagious. Eric loved his family very much and enjoyed being a part of any family celebration.

Eric had a natural eye for photography and loved to take photos. As with his portrait drawing, Eric was able to capture the true essence of his subjects. He recently did some singing and acting as well. Eric enjoyed cooking, camping and swimming. Taking a hike with his family and friends was another of Eric's joys. He was always up for an adventure.

He knew the true meaning of friendship and had a large circle of friends who were always welcomed with open arms into his home. He always made himself available for his friends when they needed him.

Besides his parents, surviving family members include his sister, Kristen Ventura of Manchester; maternal grandparents Gaston and Helen Bonenfant; paternal grandmother Nancy Rose Ventura of Laconia; aunts and uncles, Lisa and Steve Thayer of Londonderry, Mark and Barbara Bonenfant of Mission Viejo, Calif., Brian and Debbie Bonenfant of Hampton, Keith and Melanie Bonenfant of Fallbrook, Calif., Karen and Jay Jennato of Hooksett, Rich and Cathy Ventura of Tewksbury, Mass., Nancy and Bruce Johnson of Gilford, and Marty Ventura of Laconia; and his cousins, Jessica Williams, Owen and Grayson Thayer, Luke Bonenfant, Jamie and Jennifer Pollitt, Joey, Emily, Marie, Gaston, Chase, Paige and Sidney Bonenfant, Joshua and Heather Jennato, Michael and Samantha Ventura and Robert and Katherine Johnson and their daughter, Hailey.

Services: Calling hours are at the Phaneuf Funeral Home, 250 Coolidge Ave., Manchester, on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ste. Marie Church, 378 Notre Dame Ave., Manchester. Committal prayers will follow in the mausoleum chapel at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Manchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eric's name can be made to the Webster House, 27 Holy Cross Road, Franklin 03235.