Eric Phillip Mintz was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on August 29, 1950. He passed away of pancreatic cancer on September 19, 2025 at age 75. Mourned by his daughter Kaila, brother Ken (Eleanor), sister Gail, and sister-in-law Zena (John). Predeceased by parents Sally and Sid, wife Diane, son Aaron, and sister Dee Padrow. Cherished uncle to Lorne (Hadar), Tami (Chris), Susan, Julie, Kim (Ben), Matt (Sally), Sammy (Jodi), and Tova (Chris). Dear great-uncle to Heali (Adam), Ben, Levi, Libby, Olivia, Zachary, Lena (Mike), Benjamin (Rose), Emily, and Timothy, great-great uncle to little Ben.

In his early years, Eric enjoyed chess, hiking in BC with family and friends, and exploring the world with his parents, thanks to his father's position with Canadian Pacific Airlines. He graduated from Sir Winston Churchill High School in Vancouver. He then obtained a B.A. from the University of British Columbia, majoring in Political Science, and an M.A. from York University in Toronto, also in Political Science. While pursuing doctoral studies in Ottawa in the late 1970s, he met the love of his life, Diane (nee Koffman), sharing his passion for playing bridge. The pair soon moved to St. John's, where he took a one-year visiting lecturer role at Memorial University in 1976. He fell in love with the province and the next year he joined what was then West Coast Regional College in Corner Brook as an Assistant Professor.

Eric loved teaching and involvement in campus life, frequently serving on faculty bargaining committees and in other service roles. When his first-year political science students found their textbook difficult to understand, they encouraged Eric to write his own. Politics, Power and the Common Good became a top-seller widely used across Canada, and spurred the creation of a second book, Canadian Politics Today. He could be heard regularly on the local radio and quoted in the newspaper discussing elections and other hot political topics. During one sabbatical, he visited other university programs around the country and beyond as he and colleagues developed Grenfell's first graduate program, the highly popular Master of Arts in Environmental Policy, which launched in 2012.

Outside of work, Eric became involved in efforts to create Blow-Me-Down Ski Club, while teaching his children a love of cross-country skiing and outdoor adventure in general. He started an investment club and a rotating international-themed supper club with Diane and friends. Eric retired from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in 2010 as Associate Professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies, and then served as an Honorary Research Professor until 2017. After Diane's passing, Eric spent two years in Victoria, enjoying family and the milder climate, before returning to Corner Brook to be near his daughter Kaila and beloved dog Buna. He will be missed.

A Graveside Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am Eastern Time / 12:30pm Newfoundland time on Monday September 29, 2025 at Jewish Memorial Gardens 2692 Bank Street, Ottawa. Shiva will commence immediately following the service at 1597 Dorion Avenue until 6pm. Davening to follow at 6:40pm at Congregation Machzikei Hadas.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eric's memory to Diane Mintz Memorial Award in Social Work, at [https://memorial%20university,/]Memorial University, or [https://western%20regional%20hospital%20foundation/]Western Regional Hospital Foundation, with a note directing the donation to the Protective Community Residences (the Bungalows), or [https://alzheimer%20society%20of%20newfoundland%20and%20labrador/]Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador would be greatly appreciated by his family. Please see links below.