YUBA CITY, Calif. — Hearts are heavy in Yuba City as the community mourns the loss of a beloved father and assistant superintendent who died in a car accident over the weekend.
"We're all hurting right now. (A) small community like this… it's a big loss for sure,” said Rolling Stone Pizza Company owner, Jim King.
He’s heartbroken over the loss of his long-time friend Eric Pomeroy.
The father of two and Sutter County assistant superintendent was killed in a head-on crash Saturday while driving to Roseville for a swim meet with his daughter.
"Eric was the real deal. I don't think there's a better way to put it, passionate about people. A lot of times, he was trying to find solutions for people. If a student came in and was hungry, even though he was assistant superintendent, he would be making a sandwich,” said deputy superintendent Joe Hendrix.
Dozens of coworkers and friends met up Thursday for a fundraiser held by the Rolling Stone Pizza Company. Its ‘Slice of Respect’ program helps people in times of need. This time, the fundraiser hits closer to home because of King and Pomeroy’s friendship.
"It's going to be far-reaching. There's a silver lining in everything. It may not be this moment, but it'll come,” said King.
Thursday night, Sutter Buttes swim team and the Yuba-Sutter community gathered to celebrate their beloved coach and educator. Pomeroy was also known as a tireless community volunteer and a dedicated husband and father.
“He did so much for us and for everyone else, especially for the education. He developed a lot programs for our community,” said Daniela Pomeroy, his wife.
Pomeroy leaves behind his wife and two teen daughters, Gia and Erica.
Erica was hospitalized when a semi-truck struck their vehicle last Saturday on the way to their swim meet. She says her father will always be her greatest teacher.
“He helped me in math a lot and writing, and I would always turn to him whenever I needed help with an assignment,” she said.
His colleagues also want people to know how much Pomeroy cared for his students, family and others in need of a little push.
"People need to remember Eric. He had a passion for outcomes for students, creating opportunities. I don't anyone who would work so hard to make more possibilities for students, kids, adults to grow in their life, to grow in their careers,” said superintendent Tom Reusser.
The fundraiser raised about $6,000 for Pomeroy’s family. Anyone interested in supporting the family can still donate through their GoFundMe. You can also drop off checks or cash at the Sutter County Superintendent’s Office.
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