- Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll
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Jacqueline Manning, Press Secretary
Westfield — Governor Maura Healey today joined Eric Tarpinian-Jachym's family and friends, state and local leaders, and members of the public at Hampton Ponds State Park to honor his life and legacy with a family fishing festival celebrating his passion for the outdoors.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, tragically passed away in a shooting in Washington D.C. on July 1, 2025. His life, though short, was filled with passion, curiosity and achievement in many realms. A rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management, he was an intern for U.S. Rep. Ron Estes in Washington D.C. An avid freshwater and saltwater angler, Tarpinian-Jachym's enthusiasm for the outdoors was unmatched, and he introduced many to fishing and shared his love of the outdoors.
Hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game (DFG)’s Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and MassAbility, the event brought together people of all ages and abilities for an accessible fishing clinic and outdoor recreation activities inspired by Eric’s lifelong love of fishing and environmental stewardship.
“Eric brought people together through his love of fishing, the outdoors and community, and today we are honoring that spirit in a way that reflects who he was,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This event is about celebrating Eric’s life by helping more people experience the joy, connection and peace that can come from spending time outside and learning something new alongside family and friends. We are deeply grateful to Eric’s family for allowing us to honor his memory in such a meaningful way.”
“Our son Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was ecstatic when he was accepted to UMASS Amherst Isenberg School of Business because of its reputation as one of the best business schools in the country. After Eric's tragic passing, UMass President Marty Meehan reached out to our family with the utmost kindness and compassion and suggested we have the Eric Tarpinian-Jachym Memorial Scholarship Endowment. We graciously accepted this as we know Eric would have supported his alma mater after graduation,” said Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym, mother of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. ”Governor Healey has been immensely supportive of our family throughout this tragedy. While talking to our family she learned that Eric loved fishing and was a good steward of the environment. She suggested honoring Eric with a fishing festival that would bring the community together to honor Eric's passion for fishing, no matter their ages or abilities, and we thought it was a great way to honor Eric.”
“At just 21 years old, Eric had a desire to make a difference in the world and was well on his way to a promising career in public service. His death is a tremendous loss to all of us. At UMass Amherst, Eric’s memory will live on in perpetuity through the establishment of this endowed scholarship in his name, creating opportunities for future UMass students to learn and thrive,” said University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan, who donated to the scholarship. “We are very appreciative to all of those who joined us in supporting this scholarship, which has already surpassed the endowment threshold goal.”
“Eric’s passion for the outdoors and for fishing left a lasting impression on the people around him,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Today’s fishing clinic is a way to share that passion with others. It’s an opportunity for people to come together, spend time outside, and appreciate the connections that meant so much to him.”
To honor his life and legacy, Governor Healey presented Eric Tarpinian-Jachym's family with an official Governor’s Citation in recognition of his many achievements and the positive impact he had on his community. Additionally, on behalf of Chancellor Javier A. Reyes and University of Massachusetts Amherst, Governor Healey presented his posthumous diploma from the University of Massachusetts School of Management to his parents and announced a scholarship endowment honoring Tarpinian-Jachym's memory in perpetuity at UMass Amherst.
Each year, MassWildlife’s Angler Education Program offers free family fishing clinics across the state, with thousands of participants. Through partnership with DCR’s Universal Access Program (UAP) and MassAbility, this clinic was fully accessible for people of all abilities, increasing opportunities for everyone to connect with nature through outdoor recreation in Eric’s honor.
“Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was an exceptional young man who loved to fish with family and friends, especially at Hampton Ponds State Park. We are proud to carry on Eric's legacy of encouraging people young and old to connect with nature through fishing and outdoor adventure,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Thank you to our partners at DCR and MassAbility for making this special event possible so more people can follow in Eric’s footsteps, discovering a love of the outdoors and dedicating themselves to stewarding our shared environment.”
“Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was a remarkable young man whose life was marked by curiosity, service, and a deep love for the outdoors,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “We are proud to host this event in his honor at a place where he and his family spent many days enjoying nature together. Eric was an avid outdoorsman and angler, and this is a meaningful way to celebrate his life through one of his favorite activities.”
"Today's event is a celebration of and testament to the strength of persons with disabilities who redefine the boundaries of possibility every day. As we remember Eric, we honor a young man who proved that true capability is found in the power of one's spirit and unwavering courage to live life on your own terms,” said MassAbility Commissioner Toni Wolf.
Eric was an angler for most of his life, first learning to fish when he was a toddler with his siblings, grandpa and parents. Beyond this, he was a strong leader in the community and an advocate for protection of the environment. He was a member of Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), frequently competed in tournaments, participated in free dives to remove marine debris, and supported RISAA's initiatives before the Rhode Island Fisheries Commissions. He also belonged to Pioneer Valley Boat & Surf Club, in Agawam, where he was on the Board of Directors, and the youngest board member ever.
“Eric was a member of the Pioneer Valley Boat and Surf Club for over five years. In that short time, he made a huge impression on all of the members. At the age of 20, he was the youngest ever appointed to the board of directors. His passion carried over to people he met while fishing the beaches or boulders. Eric was well known in the Rhode Island surf fishing community for his love of the sport and conservation,” said Steve Nacewicz, President of the Pioneer Valley Boat and Surf Club. “There is no doubt that Eric has left his mark on all who knew him. His devotion to his family and pursuits of life will long be remembered. Sadly, we can only imagine what great things he would have accomplished. We will keep his memory fresh with every cast we take, and every story we tell.”
"I so appreciate the Healey Administration organizing this event in honor of - and in memory of - Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. It celebrates his life and his commitment to the environment and does so in a way that allows everyone to participate,” said State Representative Mindy Domb, 3rd Hampshire District. “Thanks to MassAbility, the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game (DFG)’s Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife), and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for coordinating a fun, inclusive, poignant and memorable event in Eric's honor."
For Eric, fishing was more than a hobby, it was a way to build community, connect with nature, and bring people together. Today’s event continues that legacy by helping more Massachusetts residents experience the outdoors in same spirit of generosity and curiosity that defined his life.
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