Beloved son of Tom (Signy) Smith. Grandson of Nonabell Davies. Brother of ReAnn (Scott) Holmes, Sue (Chris) Chier, Marjorie (Tony) Suto, Sandy (Tom) Wypiszynski, Joyce (Gary) Kammerzelt, Shaun (Bill) Tofson, Buddy Cook and Jerry (Jennifer) Cook. Further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many friends. Preceded in death by his mother, Nancy (the late Bud) Cook; grandparents, Jack Davies, L. Roy and Minta Smith. at River Glen Christian Church, S31 W30601 Sunset Dr., Waukesha with military honors to follow. Memorials to River Glen Christian Church, First Baptist Church of Waukesha or Cornerstone Church PCA.
Eric Smith, 31, was working for North Carolina-based Blackwater Security Consulting providing security for American diplomats in Iraq. He, along with the five other Americans, three Bulgarians and two Fijians working under a Department of Defense contract, were killed Thursday when their helicopter was shot down on the way from Baghdad to Tikrit, Blackwater spokesman Chris Bertelli said Friday.
Smith's family, many of whom live on a secluded Town of Waukesha road, declined to speak with reporters Friday night. Smith's father, Tom Smith, is the owner of Waukesha-based Tom's Heating Service Inc.
Clarence Stoel, the chairman of the Waukesha Allied Veterans Council, said Eric Smith had been in the U.S. Marines. Stoel said the Smith family has inquired about having a military funeral.
John Long, 17, of Dayton, Md., told The Associated Press that his family first met Smith in 1997 or 1998 when Long's father worked at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and Smith was a security guard there. He said Smith and the Long family went to the same Christian church.
Long said Smith, who was not married, became like a brother to him and kept in close contact through the years.
Smith's latest job reflected his desire to help with the rebuilding of Iraq, Long said.
"He wanted to go help rebuild the country, he wanted to help the people there," he said. "He knew there were risks, he knew this might happen. ... He knew if he did die that he would be fine ... that he would be at rest and he would be with the Lord."
He said he thought Smith was in the Marines for about five years, being honorably discharged in 2000. Smith worked for the Secret Service before working for Blackwater, he said.
"He liked active jobs, he never did like sitting at a desk or anything like that," Long said. "He liked to be out physically doing something. That's why he was attracted to the Marines and then the Secret Service, then to Blackwater."
He said Smith had a strong Christian faith and in his free time he loved running, played soccer and lifted weights.
"He was always motivating me to get up and go running," Long said. "He was just a great friend and became part of the family."
The last e-mail Long got from Smith recently said he was being moved out of Baghdad and would contact the Long family later with his new address.
Thursday was the bloodiest day of the Iraq conflict so far for Blackwater USA, which is employed by the U.S. government to provide security in a number of contexts in Iraq, ranging from protecting aid convoys to providing personal security for U.S. diplomats.
Bertelli declined to say why Smith's convoy was headed to Tikrit.
The five other Americans killed in the crash were Robert Jason Gore, 23, of Nevada, Iowa; Luke Adam Petrik, 24, of Conneaut, Ohio; Jason Obert, 29, of Fountain, Colo.; Steve McGovern, 24, of Lexington, Ky.; and David Patterson, 27, of Havelock, N.C.
Blackwater is one of many private security contractors working in Iraq, where thousands of civilians are working for private contractors feeding U.S. troops, fueling vehicles and training Iraqi police.
At least 18 Blackwater guards have died in Iraq, including four whose slaying and mutilation in Fallujah made international news in March 2004. Two of the corpses were hung from a bridge, triggering a bloody three-week siege of the Sunni Muslim city west of Baghdad.
It is not known how many of those provide armed security, but Blackwater, founded in 1998 by a trio of former Navy SEALs, is considered a leader in the private defense field. Its workers - many former U.S. special operations troops and police SWAT team members - guard top U.S. officials in Iraq.
The company is headquartered at the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp in northeastern North Carolina, near the Virginia border.
Eric Smith, 31, was working for North Carolina-based Blackwater Security Consulting providing security for American diplomats in Iraq. He, along with the five other Americans, three Bulgarians and two Fijians working under a Department of Defense contract, were killed Thursday when their helicopter was shot down on the way from Baghdad to Tikrit, Blackwater spokesman Chris Bertelli said Friday.
Smith's family, many of whom live on a secluded Town of Waukesha road, declined to speak with reporters Friday night. Smith's father, Tom Smith, is the owner of Waukesha-based Tom's Heating Service Inc.
Clarence Stoel, the chairman of the Waukesha Allied Veterans Council, said Eric Smith had been in the U.S. Marines. Stoel said the Smith family has inquired about having a military funeral.
John Long, 17, of Dayton, Md., told The Associated Press that his family first met Smith in 1997 or 1998 when Long's father worked at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and Smith was a security guard there. He said Smith and the Long family went to the same Christian church.
Long said Smith, who was not married, became like a brother to him and kept in close contact through the years.
Smith's latest job reflected his desire to help with the rebuilding of Iraq, Long said.
"He wanted to go help rebuild the country, he wanted to help the people there," he said. "He knew there were risks, he knew this might happen. ... He knew if he did die that he would be fine ... that he would be at rest and he would be with the Lord."
He said he thought Smith was in the Marines for about five years, being honorably discharged in 2000. Smith worked for the Secret Service before working for Blackwater, he said.
"He liked active jobs, he never did like sitting at a desk or anything like that," Long said. "He liked to be out physically doing something. That's why he was attracted to the Marines and then the Secret Service, then to Blackwater."
He said Smith had a strong Christian faith and in his free time he loved running, played soccer and lifted weights.
"He was always motivating me to get up and go running," Long said. "He was just a great friend and became part of the family."
The last e-mail Long got from Smith recently said he was being moved out of Baghdad and would contact the Long family later with his new address.
Thursday was the bloodiest day of the Iraq conflict so far for Blackwater USA, which is employed by the U.S. government to provide security in a number of contexts in Iraq, ranging from protecting aid convoys to providing personal security for U.S. diplomats.
Bertelli declined to say why Smith's convoy was headed to Tikrit.
The five other Americans killed in the crash were Robert Jason Gore, 23, of Nevada, Iowa; Luke Adam Petrik, 24, of Conneaut, Ohio; Jason Obert, 29, of Fountain, Colo.; Steve McGovern, 24, of Lexington, Ky.; and David Patterson, 27, of Havelock, N.C.
Blackwater is one of many private security contractors working in Iraq, where thousands of civilians are working for private contractors feeding U.S. troops, fueling vehicles and training Iraqi police.
At least 18 Blackwater guards have died in Iraq, including four whose slaying and mutilation in Fallujah made international news in March 2004. Two of the corpses were hung from a bridge, triggering a bloody three-week siege of the Sunni Muslim city west of Baghdad.
It is not known how many of those provide armed security, but Blackwater, founded in 1998 by a trio of former Navy SEALs, is considered a leader in the private defense field. Its workers - many former U.S. special operations troops and police SWAT team members - guard top U.S. officials in Iraq.
The company is headquartered at the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp in northeastern North Carolina, near the Virginia border.
Beloved son of Tom (Signy) Smith. Grandson of Nonabell Davies. Brother of ReAnn (Scott) Holmes, Sue (Chris) Chier, Marjorie (Tony) Suto, Sandy (Tom) Wypiszynski, Joyce (Gary) Kammerzelt, Shaun (Bill) Tofson, Buddy Cook and Jerry (Jennifer) Cook. Further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many friends. Preceded in death by his mother, Nancy (the late Bud) Cook; grandparents, Jack Davies, L. Roy and Minta Smith. at River Glen Christian Church, S31 W30601 Sunset Dr., Waukesha with military honors to follow. Memorials to River Glen Christian Church, First Baptist Church of Waukesha or Cornerstone Church PCA.
Eric Smith, 31, was working for North Carolina-based Blackwater Security Consulting providing security for American diplomats in Iraq. He, along with the five other Americans, three Bulgarians and two Fijians working under a Department of Defense contract, were killed Thursday when their helicopter was shot down on the way from Baghdad to Tikrit, Blackwater spokesman Chris Bertelli said Friday.
Smith's family, many of whom live on a secluded Town of Waukesha road, declined to speak with reporters Friday night. Smith's father, Tom Smith, is the owner of Waukesha-based Tom's Heating Service Inc.
Clarence Stoel, the chairman of the Waukesha Allied Veterans Council, said Eric Smith had been in the U.S. Marines. Stoel said the Smith family has inquired about having a military funeral.
John Long, 17, of Dayton, Md., told The Associated Press that his family first met Smith in 1997 or 1998 when Long's father worked at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and Smith was a security guard there. He said Smith and the Long family went to the same Christian church.
Long said Smith, who was not married, became like a brother to him and kept in close contact through the years.
Smith's latest job reflected his desire to help with the rebuilding of Iraq, Long said.
"He wanted to go help rebuild the country, he wanted to help the people there," he said. "He knew there were risks, he knew this might happen. ... He knew if he did die that he would be fine ... that he would be at rest and he would be with the Lord."
He said he thought Smith was in the Marines for about five years, being honorably discharged in 2000. Smith worked for the Secret Service before working for Blackwater, he said.
"He liked active jobs, he never did like sitting at a desk or anything like that," Long said. "He liked to be out physically doing something. That's why he was attracted to the Marines and then the Secret Service, then to Blackwater."
He said Smith had a strong Christian faith and in his free time he loved running, played soccer and lifted weights.
"He was always motivating me to get up and go running," Long said. "He was just a great friend and became part of the family."
The last e-mail Long got from Smith recently said he was being moved out of Baghdad and would contact the Long family later with his new address.
Thursday was the bloodiest day of the Iraq conflict so far for Blackwater USA, which is employed by the U.S. government to provide security in a number of contexts in Iraq, ranging from protecting aid convoys to providing personal security for U.S. diplomats.
Bertelli declined to say why Smith's convoy was headed to Tikrit.
The five other Americans killed in the crash were Robert Jason Gore, 23, of Nevada, Iowa; Luke Adam Petrik, 24, of Conneaut, Ohio; Jason Obert, 29, of Fountain, Colo.; Steve McGovern, 24, of Lexington, Ky.; and David Patterson, 27, of Havelock, N.C.
Blackwater is one of many private security contractors working in Iraq, where thousands of civilians are working for private contractors feeding U.S. troops, fueling vehicles and training Iraqi police.
At least 18 Blackwater guards have died in Iraq, including four whose slaying and mutilation in Fallujah made international news in March 2004. Two of the corpses were hung from a bridge, triggering a bloody three-week siege of the Sunni Muslim city west of Baghdad.
It is not known how many of those provide armed security, but Blackwater, founded in 1998 by a trio of former Navy SEALs, is considered a leader in the private defense field. Its workers - many former U.S. special operations troops and police SWAT team members - guard top U.S. officials in Iraq.
The company is headquartered at the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp in northeastern North Carolina, near the Virginia border.
Eric Smith, 31, was working for North Carolina-based Blackwater Security Consulting providing security for American diplomats in Iraq. He, along with the five other Americans, three Bulgarians and two Fijians working under a Department of Defense contract, were killed Thursday when their helicopter was shot down on the way from Baghdad to Tikrit, Blackwater spokesman Chris Bertelli said Friday.
Smith's family, many of whom live on a secluded Town of Waukesha road, declined to speak with reporters Friday night. Smith's father, Tom Smith, is the owner of Waukesha-based Tom's Heating Service Inc.
Clarence Stoel, the chairman of the Waukesha Allied Veterans Council, said Eric Smith had been in the U.S. Marines. Stoel said the Smith family has inquired about having a military funeral.
John Long, 17, of Dayton, Md., told The Associated Press that his family first met Smith in 1997 or 1998 when Long's father worked at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and Smith was a security guard there. He said Smith and the Long family went to the same Christian church.
Long said Smith, who was not married, became like a brother to him and kept in close contact through the years.
Smith's latest job reflected his desire to help with the rebuilding of Iraq, Long said.
"He wanted to go help rebuild the country, he wanted to help the people there," he said. "He knew there were risks, he knew this might happen. ... He knew if he did die that he would be fine ... that he would be at rest and he would be with the Lord."
He said he thought Smith was in the Marines for about five years, being honorably discharged in 2000. Smith worked for the Secret Service before working for Blackwater, he said.
"He liked active jobs, he never did like sitting at a desk or anything like that," Long said. "He liked to be out physically doing something. That's why he was attracted to the Marines and then the Secret Service, then to Blackwater."
He said Smith had a strong Christian faith and in his free time he loved running, played soccer and lifted weights.
"He was always motivating me to get up and go running," Long said. "He was just a great friend and became part of the family."
The last e-mail Long got from Smith recently said he was being moved out of Baghdad and would contact the Long family later with his new address.
Thursday was the bloodiest day of the Iraq conflict so far for Blackwater USA, which is employed by the U.S. government to provide security in a number of contexts in Iraq, ranging from protecting aid convoys to providing personal security for U.S. diplomats.
Bertelli declined to say why Smith's convoy was headed to Tikrit.
The five other Americans killed in the crash were Robert Jason Gore, 23, of Nevada, Iowa; Luke Adam Petrik, 24, of Conneaut, Ohio; Jason Obert, 29, of Fountain, Colo.; Steve McGovern, 24, of Lexington, Ky.; and David Patterson, 27, of Havelock, N.C.
Blackwater is one of many private security contractors working in Iraq, where thousands of civilians are working for private contractors feeding U.S. troops, fueling vehicles and training Iraqi police.
At least 18 Blackwater guards have died in Iraq, including four whose slaying and mutilation in Fallujah made international news in March 2004. Two of the corpses were hung from a bridge, triggering a bloody three-week siege of the Sunni Muslim city west of Baghdad.
It is not known how many of those provide armed security, but Blackwater, founded in 1998 by a trio of former Navy SEALs, is considered a leader in the private defense field. Its workers - many former U.S. special operations troops and police SWAT team members - guard top U.S. officials in Iraq.
The company is headquartered at the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp in northeastern North Carolina, near the Virginia border.
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