Eric Fithyan

Eric Fithyan is a resident of Brooke County. He was born in Wheeling Hospital to Ernie and Teresa (McFadden) Fithyan. The Fithyan family lived on West Street in Follansbee for a short period of time before moving to Wellsburg, WV when Eric was young.

Eric became interested in music at a very young age. He studied piano with Linda Henderickson and later with David Zapka. Eric was a member of the Wellsburg Middle School Marching Band and then the Brooke High School Marching Band, Pep Band, and Concert Band where he played Trumpet, Mellophone and French Horn. Eric was a member of the Brooke High School Madrigal and Concert Choirs. He also served with numerous other students in the Key Club and was elected Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia for the Key Club. Eric graduated with honors from Brooke High School in 2002. He also graduated in 2004 from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA with Cum Laude honors.

Eric worked as a Funeral Director with Heffner Funeral Homes in York, PA and the Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes in Pittsburgh, PA. He served both funeral homes as Manager. Eric then became the Director of Bereavement, Spirituality, and Volunteers Services of Cedars Community Hospice. These services at Cedars Community Hospice started from conception and grew to the largest volunteer and bereavement program of the Greater Pittsburgh area. In addition to creating volunteer recognition receptions, fundraising events, and support groups, he was able to help individuals who were dying celebrate their life and supported their families as their loved ones transitioned to the afterlife. "This was an honor to walk into people's lives when they were dying. It was like the poem that I went in to hold their hand, but they touched my heart," explained Eric. He was able to serve with the Monroeville Rotary Club, Monroeville Area Chambers of Commerce, Board Member of the CORE Task Force, Board Member of the Food Bank of Wilkinsburg (Wilkinsburg Community Ministries), member of Calvary Church, and Neighbors Unite Wilkinsburg.

Eric is honored to be back in his hometown to provide meaningful services for the community since 2011. He has joined his families church, Christ Church where he has served on the Vestry, former Senior Warden and currently substitute organist.  Eric is the staff organist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Steubenville, OH.  He has been asked to serve numerous local organizations and is looking into all of the wonderful things that are going on in Brooke County and the Northern Panhandle. Eric serves as GPresident of the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club and former Governor of the WV District of Kiwanis International, former President of the WV Funeral Directors and Crematory Operators - Ohio District and Legislative Committee, Brooke Hancock and Jefferson Counties Advisory Board (Four Terms), President of Follansbee Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Monthly Monday Music Madness, Chairman of the Wellsburg Christmas Parade through the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce, former Choirmaster of the Wellsburg Community Choir and former President and Founder of Twilight Wish Foundation - WV.

Under the young direction  and leadership of Eric, Chambers and James has excelled in serving families in the Ohio Valley.  Eric received the 2019 Follansbee Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 2018 Charles Dodd Award - WV Funeral Director of the Year, 2017 Young Gun of the WV Magazine for his personal involvement in the community and his outstanding leadership.  The two funeral homes have received best of the best funeral homes by the readers of the Herald Star and Weirton Daily Times 2022-2015, and 2013, National Funeral Directors Association Pursuit of Excellence 2023-2015, Best Business by the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce 2014 and a special commendation from US Senator Joe Manchin and WV Secretary of State Natalie Tennant for the funeral homes work for change in their community.