Erich Elleson's Fight

Erich's family has settled on a date for Erich’s Celebration of life: Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 3:00 at Rosewood Commons Meeting and Event Center, 4400 Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588.

Please mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the amazing life that Erich lived and the impact he had on each of us.

In addition, KJ has completed Erich’s Obituary:

Erich Robert Elleson, 54, died on March 13, 2023, at his home in Martinez, California one month after receiving the devastating diagnosis of Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer.

Erich was born on January 30, 1969, in Baldwin Park, California to Robert Lawrence Elleson and Sandra Rose Bradley. A precocious boy, he discovered joy in making art, skateboarding, and playing music. Talents which remained in his life through his years at San Ramon Valley High School, from which he graduated in 1987. He was a trend setter with his clothing, and he constantly changed his hairstyle and color. With his good looks and dynamic personality, he pulled off every look with ease!

Erich lived his life out loud. He was good at everything he attempted! He carried his love of music and his passion for composition and performance all through his life. He could play the drums, bass guitar, guitar, sing…he could do everything. He and his band, All The New, kept a studio, recorded albums, and practiced weekly for more than 20 years. Erich was an avid Bay Area sports fan and absolutely loved the San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Giants and could be seen wearing their gear and taking in as many games as possible. He was also an incredible photographer, artist, and actor. He also loved and cared deeply for his friends and family. He was so generous and thoughtful with his time and gifts to friends for birthdays or just because something reminded him of someone. Erich’s ultimate gift was joy, he made people laugh and brought them joy; he made you feel special. Erich also had the benefit and confidence in who he was and always remained his true authentic self.

Erich met and fell in love with Kelly Jo Vadas in 2002. They met at KJ's office in Concord when Erich came to meet a friend for lunch. At first, they were just friends who would take frequent day trips to snowboard in Tahoe. KJ knew Erich felt more for her when he volunteered to go bridesmaid dress shopping with her for a wedding. Erich Loved to shop! KJ decided to bring Erich to the wedding as her guest and the rest is history. After spending months working with a jeweler designing KJ’s engagement ring, to be a “diamond in a halfpipe”, Erich asked KJ to marry him on the slopes in Aspen on February 13, 2006! They married on May 26, 2007. Shortly after they married, Erich and KJ welcomed two amazing children, Cambria James Elleson (14 years) and Maddox Robert Elleson (12 years) and completed their family. His kids were his absolute pride and joy. Erich was a family man to his core. He adored spending every-day time with his family as well as taking frequent road trips up and down the state of California and annually dressing up in amazing costumes to spend a week at Disneyland in October for Halloween. Erich also brought visual arts to their home; even being Maddox's personal hair stylist. He attended every one of CJ's soccer and softball games as well as all of Maddox's swim meets. In the summers the family loved hanging out at FHST pool where Erich entertained everyone by being their own personal DJ.

Erich loved his job at AssetMark, a financial services company, where he worked for just over 22 years. As the Facilities Manager, he had many opportunities to express his creativity. At the beginning he managed one office with a single floor in Pleasant Hill. Over time, AssetMark grew to seven offices across six states and Erich grew right along with it. For every office, he took great care to make the entire footprint truly amazing! He ensured each person’s location was set up exactly to suit them. He continually leveraged his talents and ingenuity to create beautiful and functional spaces as well as experiences that brought people together and supported the success of the organization. Erich led the AssetMark Fun Committee and developed some of the company's most loved and memorable in-office events…from pumpkin decorating to tailgating, potluck lunches to summer picnics, and those epic holiday parties. Erich was loved by ALL of his colleagues.

Erich is survived by his adoring wife Kelly Jo of 15 years, daughter Cambria (14) and son Maddox (12). He is also survived by his father and stepmother, Robert and Judy Elleson; Mother and stepfather, Sandra and Teddy Coggiola; his 2 sisters, Kendra and husband Jurgen Bubert; Sherri and husband John Silva as well as 3 stepbrothers, Bret and wife Kara Coggiola, Troy and wife Jennifer Coggiola and Jesse Elleson; his parents-in-law James and Ann Vadas, his brother-in-law Jason Vadas, sister-in-law Vanessa Vadas, as well as numerous adored nieces and nephews. His life journey was accompanied by this big extended family alongside his loyal, long-time bandmates, life-long friends, and valued colleagues.

Erich’s favorite saying really amplified his love of life; “Get into it.” Erich would want you all to not only do what you are doing, but really GET INTO IT!

PLEASE SHARE YOUR PHOTOS & VIDEOS OF ERICH here so that we can all remember the amazing times we had with him: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3u22avbaa3657ozwx3f9w/h?dl=0&rlkey=pdhgra4lppegb03g24la901w2

We are going to have a joyous celebration of life for Erich on July 15, 2023 at 3:00 at Rosewood Commons Meeting and Event Center, 4400 Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588. More details to follow through CaringBridge and GoFundMe.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Erich’s name to:

Cancer Commons https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E354036&id=2. This organization helps transform cancer care and saves lives.