Eric Shawn Raley, a beloved member of the Hudson WI community, passed away on October 20th, 2024, surrounded by family after a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Eric’s life may have been cut short, but it didn’t limit his ability to touch the lives of countless while leaving a massive impact on his entire community.

Eric began life as a wildly curious free spirit. Quick witted from a young age. He had an insatiable hunger for knowledge, and was known by those close to him as a walking encyclopedia. If you needed a fact check, Eric was the first give it to you (whether you asked for it or not.)

He was a natural born entertainer. As he moved through life, he encapsulated his family’s love for the theatre through his day to day interactions. Eric was the epitome of a people person, and could get along with any and everyone that happened to cross his path. His energy was infectious, his charisma was unmatched and he had no issue leading a room into gut aching laughter.

His greatest accomplishments in life were his illustrious 20 year marriage to Carol Raley, the love of his life, and his 4 children that he adored more than words could possibly express. He lived a hard fought life at times, but anyone who knew Eric knew he never shied away from a fight; especially for the ones he loved.

Eric and Carol successfully owned and operated Dick’s bar and grill, a staple of downtown Hudson, for the last 10 years. From Covid lockdowns to damaging hail storms, the adversity they faced only made their relationship stronger. Eric was always one to put the needs of others before those of his own. He was the first person to lend a helping hand, and the last to step in and take the credit.

His greatest joys in life were rides on the Harley, his love for music of all genres, vacationing with good company, hunting, fishing, sharing good times, but above all, sharing those things with his wife and children. The one thing he enjoyed more than being a father, was his short time spent as a grand father.

Eric was truly one of a kind, and will be dearly missed by many. To honor Eric’s memory and celebrate his remarkable life, a public visitation will be held at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson on October 25, 2024, 2:30-4:30 pm. In celebration of Eric’s spirit, we request that all who visit attend in flip flops/sandals.

Eric will forever be in the hearts of his; wife Carol; children Robert (Haley), Jackson (Brittni), and Madison (Ross); grandchildren Ezra and Blaire; mother Sharon; siblings Terri (John), Renee (Rick), and Rich (Tiffany); plus many nieces, nephews, close friends, and extended family members. Eric was preceded in death by his father Richard.

Services entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Homes – Hudson