Hamden – Eric J. Pechalonis, 52, formerly of Waterbury, passed away on Monday, August 31 in New Haven. Eric was born July 27, 1968 in Waterbury, son of Joseph and Janet (Jager) Pechalonis of Conway, South Carolina. Raised in Waterbury, Eric was a graduate of Kennedy High School, received an Associate degree from Naugatuck Valley Community College and attended UCONN, Waterbury Campus. He had worked for the family business, PETCHCO Inc. in Waterbury for many years and was currently employed at Mid-State Truck Sales in New Haven. In his free time and during the holidays he volunteered at the New Haven soup kitchen. He enjoyed traveling to the Berkshires to visit family and shopping at the outlets. In addition to his parents he is survived by his brother, Dane Pechalonis; his niece Ella Pechalonis; his nephew, Bodhi Pechalonis all of West Stockbridge, MA; his aunts and uncles, Stanley and Donna Pechalonis of San Anselmo, CA, John and Donna Pechalonis of Duxbury, MA, Joyce Balanda of Waterbury and Elaine Hickey of Watertown; the Tata family of Waterbury and his many friends at Mid-State Truck Sales. Funeral services followed by burial in Old Pine Grove Cemetery will be private.