LePage's Seafood founder dies, leaving 'lifelong legacy' of popular Fall River restaurant
FALL RIVER — A familiar face and friend to many at a well-known Fall River restaurant for over three decades passed away this week.
Eric LePage, longtime owner of LePage's Seafood and Grille along with his wife Carol, died Monday, March 18, at Saint Anne's Hospital following a brief illness, according to his obituary. He was 72 years old.
The Fall River native and Tiverton resident stepped away from his 439 Martine St. business in May 2022 after 34 years when the couple decided to retire.
The popular seafood restaurant was described in his obituary as "Eric's true passion," serving as a second home to the LePages and others across the SouthCoast for many years.
"LePage's Restaurant was Eric's pride and joy, his heart and soul. He truly loved every moment as proprietor," states his obituary on the Silva Faria Funeral Home website. "With his wife Carol by his side, LePage's Seafood was a dream come true for Eric and it became his lifelong legacy to his native Fall River."
'This place is staying': As owners retire, LePage's Seafood and Grille starts new chapter
According to his obituary, Eric LePage was a 1969 Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School graduate and went on to attend Bristol Community College before he was drafted into the military and served two years in the U.S. Navy. After being discharged, he earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Southeastern Massachusetts University in Dartmouth, which started him on his path toward LePage's Seafood.
After having worked in the restaurant field for years, Eric founded LePage's Seafood in 1988 in a small, 10-seat space on Brayton Avenue in the Red's Dairy Plaza, where Dunkin' Donuts is now located.
A year and a half later, they moved to the much larger 439 Martine St. building, the former Fall River Bowling Green property on the banks of the Watuppa Pond, transforming it into a three-room restaurant and lounge.
Two years ago, when the pair announced their plans to hand over the reins of the eatery — just a few weeks shy of its 35th anniversary — and embark on their next chapter, it was a moment filled with mixed emotions for both.
"I've seen our customers grow... I see their children being born, I see their grandchildren coming in... it's generations," said Carol LePage, in a May 2022 Herald News story. "In 34 years that's a lot of people, a lot of connections. You walk through the building and you're always seeing someone you know."
When he wasn't spending time with his customers, the obituary states Eric was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, traveling with family and friends and watching games for the Portuguese soccer team Benfica.
"Eric will forever be remembered as a generous, kind-hearted and loving gentleman who always unselfishly lent a helping hand to anyone in need and never expected anything in return," his obituary reads. "As all would attest, Eric LePage has left this world a better place."
Eric is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol, his brother Peter LePage and his wife, of Padanaram, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and former LePage's Seafood employees and customers.
A memorial Mass for Eric LePage will be held Saturday, March 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Ave., Fall River.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked memorial donations be made to Saint Anne's Hospital Oncology Center, 795 Middle St., Fall River, MA, 02724.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: LePage's Seafood founder dies, leaving Fall River restaurant legacy
