Erik Douglas Brazzale of Newport News, Va, died at his home on June 29, 2026. He was called home to be with Jesus after a short battle with Prostate Cancer. He was born on April 8, 1969, in Joliet, Illinois, to Richard Douglas Brazzale and Patricia Ann Harlow Brazzale.
He graduated from high school at Joliet West High School in Joliet, Illinois. Erik served his country with the U.S. Army, deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2005 with the Virginia National Guard’s 654th MPCO.
He was previously a Firefighter for the City of Suffolk. Erik is a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and the Round Canopy Paratrooper Team. He loved being around his family, tinkering with and repairing guns, hunting, riding his Harley, jumping out of airplanes, and playing bagpipes.
Erik is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Harlow Brazzale of Seaford, Va. Surviving is his wife of 29 years, Lisa R Brazzale (Causey) of Newport News, Va; his father, Richard D Brazzale of Seaford, Va; three children, Nicholas C Brazzale (Catherine) of Staunton, Virginia; his son, Ryan A Brazzale (Sarah) of Cartersville, Virginia; his daughter, Valerie Brazzale-Russell (Terry) of Newport News; his brother, Scott H Brazzale of Mokena, Illinois; and six grandchildren, Conor, Lily, Isadora, Isabelle, Charlotte, and Alex.
A visitation at Peninsula Funeral Home will be held today form 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A graveside service at Peninsula Memorial Park Cemetery, 12750 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA. will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
3 Comments
My heartfelt condolences and Prayers go out to the Brazzale and extended Family for your loss of Erik!
Erik was my Brother-in-Arms and CVMA Brother….. He’ll be sorely missed as he exemplified the “Vets Helping Vets” moniker. Rest easy my brother… and when its my time… I’ll joing you in the Halls of Valhalla…. Where The Brave Shall Live Forever.
Erik (known to us as “Boots”) was a member of Engine Co. 3 of the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Dept. when I was assigned to Ladder Co. 3 in the same house. He got his nickname when he showed up in combat boots to take the physical ability test, when everyone else wore running shoes. So the name stuck for his entire career. He was rock solid as an Engineer/driver-pump operator. He knew his job and did it well, always getting to the incident quickly and getting the water flowing to the his company members so they could get to work. I drove him up to Richmond to the VRS office when he had to retire. He was one in a million and will be missed by so many.
Erik (known to us as “Boots”) was a member of Engine Co. 3 of the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Dept. when I was assigned to Ladder Co. 3 in the same house. He got his nickname as a recruit when he showed up in combat boots to take the physical ability test, when everyone else wore running shoes. So the name stuck for his entire career. He was rock solid as an Engineer/driver-pump operator. He knew his job and did it well, always getting to the incident quickly and getting the water flowing to the his company members so they could get to work. I drove him up to Richmond to the VRS office when he had to retire. He was one in a million and will be missed by so many.