Eric Joseph Johansing

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Eric Johansing, a big wonderful man whose heart and spirit were even larger than he was.

Eric was born on December 20, 1961, in Los Angeles, California, the second son of Hal Johansing and Marlene Orfalea Johansing; Husband to Zeyla Johansing, brother to Harry and Therese Johansing and father to Gregory Johansing (Melissa), Luka, and Mia, uncle to Natalie Johansing, his adopted brother David Tucker. He died December 15, 2025, in Costa Rica, where he lived with his wife, Zeyla, and their children Luka and Mia. Eric was a devoted son, a loyal brother, a loving husband and an adoring father. A large extended family mourns his death including his numerous uncles and cousins in the Orfalea and Johansing families.

Above all, Eric was kind; a person who would give without being asked and help without seeking credit.

He was authentic and loved for being precisely who he was.

Many people will remember Eric as a uniquely mischievous boy, who grew up to be a uniquely compassionate man. His good works were always under the radar; giving a farmer in Mexico a flock of chickens to raise, so he could feed his family, bringing comfort, love and a sense of well being to his family and many friends.

Eric’s life was a bridge between cultures and borders. His circle offriendship included people from his childhood in La Canada and Hermosa Beach to people he loved in Costa Rica and Mexico.

Eric’s legacy of love spans thousands of miles, rooted in his having the rare gift for making people feel safe, accepted and comfortable with him. And he made them laugh.

His memory will live on in stories told by people who knew and loved him across three countries; a quiet man of few words, whose presence brought joy and comfort as well as laughter and fun.

There is a line in a Maya Angelou poem,

“When great trees fall,

Rocks on distant hills shutter.”

As an analogy to Eric’s life, his absence will impact people in the many communities where he belonged. People loved him, not for what he said, but for what he did and how he made them feel; accepted and able to be themselves. Because Eric was himself, authentic to the core; an honest and genuine good man.