NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Eric H. Gunther, 47, of Nashville, Tenn., died suddenly on Thursday, March 17.

Eric was born March 1, 1964, in Rumford, the son of Howard F. Gunther of West Bethel and Sandra Olson Gunther of Bethel. He was a graduate of Telstar Regional High School, Class of 1982.

After spending some time in college, he discovered his nitch, which was insurance. Eric was employed in the Maine and New Hampshire area for several years. During this time, he organized the Loretta Lynn fan club for Maine and developed a close friendship with the Lynn family. There was an insurance job available in Nashville, which he took and there found his home. He was a highly successful insurance underwriter with the Willis Insurance Co. for ski resorts across the U.S.

Eric’s passion has always been family and friends. He was the “glue” in the family and knew everyone’s birthday and all the “particulars” about each one. He had a fabulous sense of humor, saw the funny side of life, laughed a lot and brought joy to every gathering. Eric never had an enemy. He was unfailingly kind. He had friends all over the country. He will be sadly missed by so many.

He leaves his partner, Jamie Wilson of Nashville, Tenn.; his brother, H. Scott Gunther and wife, Olya and daughter, Dasha of Sandy, Utah; nieces, Ashley Gunther of Lebanon, Tenn., and Chelsea Potter and husband, Mark and two daughters of Cape Elizabeth; brother, Randy Gunther and wife, Ruby and daughters, Halle and Maya of Rumford; sister, Patricia Gunther of Wake Forest, N.C.; aunt, Pat Gunther Carter and husband, Ted, of Bethel; aunts, Mildred Jackson and Caroline Merrill and her husband, Charlie, of Bethel; aunt, Linda Olson and husband, Rick Poore, of Cornish; aunt, Carol Everett and husband, Robert, of West Bethel; and uncle, George Olson and Dehra Olson of Bryant Pond; Eric leaves numerous cousins, too many to name, but every one of them will miss him sorely. He took the time to frequently reach out through phone calls and emails or visits to everyone he loved.