I am deeply saddened to announce that Mats Hålimoen, aka Ercles, passed away last night. Erc had been bravely fighting cancer since June but was admitted to hospital last Tuesday. He died peacefully with his family at his side. He was 20 years old.
Everyone I’ve talked to today about this awful news have all unanimously said the same thing: that Erc was very special and that he will be terribly missed. He was an incredibly kind-spirited, warm, funny, generous and brave young man who was loved by his family and friends, both online and in real life. He was always supportive and caring towards his friends, and genuinely never had a bad word to say about anyone. He had a great sense of humour and was loveably geeky.
I regret that I never met Mats in real life. I know that he enjoyed a lot of outdoor pursuits like camping and hiking and was also passionately interested in music. Online I knew him much better, and from all our experiences together online I consider him to be one of my best and closest friends.
Erc was a big fan of computer games and especially World of Warcraft, which he had played since launch. He became a member of the guild Absolution three years ago and has been a close and much-loved friend to many in the guild over that time. Although he was a serious altaholic, his staple character was a Tauren Druid with whom he made an awesome tree healer. Although he branched out into different specs later on, that is likely how I shall always remember him, for I always used to call any Tree Druid I saw ‘Erc’, even if it was somebody else. Of course he was much more than just a healer, but I feel his preference for that role reflected his caring personality. Whilst he was never the loudest or most talkative in the guild, he was always there with a joke or helpful comment, a continually positive presence amongst us for three years.
His death is a tragic loss to us all. He will always be remembered for being an incredible man and a great friend. We’ll miss you Erc.
My condolences to Mats’ friends and family.
=(
Okay.. when I saw that posted on Twitter I so sincerely hoped that the page would load to a picture of a dead cow underneath the Lich King and see “Erc has rerolled”.. I obviously didn’t know him *that* well because I didn’t have a clue that he was so ill, I spoke to him quite a bit throughout the Summer and he never once let on that he was ill, a little depressed maybe, but nothing that bad.. but I did know him well enough to have him as a Real ID friend, and I don’t tend to add people to my Real ID lightly.
I don’t really know what to say except that I am genuinely crying.. That’s.. really unexpected and sad. Thank you for letting us know, and that is a beautiful memoriam. ❤
I hope you continue blogging too, whether here or at a new place.
Don’t feel bad that Erc didn’t mention anything about being ill. He told very few people what was going on. I think he didn’t want anyone to worry.
Oh, I don’t, I figured. That’s how some people deal with it. I meant that more to say that to me it’s very sudden because I didn’t have a clue.
Sincere condolences to all friends and family, in-game and IRL.
Wulfy – I’ve said my bit elsewhere but, again, I send you and Abso my thoughts. Matty’s light won’t go out for me, or I suspect for many others. He’ll live on in our memories and our hearts but damn I’ll miss him a lot.
Erc, along with wulf, was one of the first people to really comment on my blog, and was one of the first people to welcome me into the blogging community, so this was very sad to hear. I didn’t know him well, but he touched my life.
He was a great person of fun and lightness, and my thoughts are with you, wulfy, I know it’s hard. Thank you for letting the blogging community know.
He’s definitely going to be missed, he was the heart and soul of Absolution.
There’s an open thread in memory of Erc on the guild forums. I’m arranging for the messages there to be shown to his parents. Everyone’s welcome to post something there.
Absolution forum link for those interested in posting on the thread Nichy mentioned: http://absolution.sweeveworld.net/
Boo Hoo. Hugs to all who knew him. It’s sad to lose someone and hideous to lose someone so young. Remember the good times and he will live on.
[…] quit, but no. It wasn’t a joke. A dear friend to many has passed away and I suggest you read this post to understand. As for why I’ve called this the ultimate half-finished post, well, what can […]
Erc is unforgettable, he’s touched a lot of us.
I’d like to say more but find myself unable right now. It doesn’t matter how expected something is, the shock, and sadness, are still the same.
I send my best wishes, thoughts and condolences, to everyone who cared for and is grieving for him.
It was a pleasure to have known him, albeit (sadly) only briefly. If I were to describe Erc with three attributes, I’d say he was friendly, enthusiastic and always trying to catch more from life. A life that turned out to be tragically short.
Wulfy, my condolences for your loss of a dear friend.
Ercles, rest in peace.
I always loved reading what he had to say, despite not always being brave enough to comment. A shame that he is gone, especially so young, but his memory will live on.
I didn’t know Ercles, but every time I hear about a young person dying from cancer I rage. It’s so unfair, so incomprehensible and unnecessary. My thoughts go to all of you who knew him, his friends, his family. I’m so sorry.
So sad, so unfair. How old I am, and I survived cancer. So unfair Ercles could not survive his.
To his family and all of you I send heartfelt condolences.
To you Ercles – I cast on you Rebirth. May you be blessed forever.
— Aurellie – Windrunner
Very sad news 😦 my thoughts are with you, your guild and Erc’s family.
I only knew him briefly, but it was long enough to discover how lovely he was. I think it was obvious in the first 15 minutes.
My thoughts and condolences to all those who have been blessed with knowing him.
Sadness. My thoughts are with you, and his guild.
[…] you probably already know, Erc – otherwise known as Ercles, who blogged over at the Barrens Chat died recently following a long struggle with […]
A terrible shame.
He is with Mankrik’s wife now.
Erc was a lot of fun to be with and always very friendly to me even when I was a total stranger to him – despite never getting to know him that well, I will miss him. My condolences to those of you who knew him so much better and will miss him so much more.