Erin Michael Ennis

Departed this life on 22 February 2023 much as he had lived it: on his own terms, in his own way, with dignity, positivity and loved ones by his side.

Born November 3, 1966, in Dover, Ohio to Marvin Ray Ennis and Susan (Pennington) Ennis, Erin was energetic and resilient from the outset, exploring the world around him with enthusiasm and inquisitiveness. His early childhood was spent living in Japan and Okinawa with his family where his father was serving in the Navy as an aviator.

Returning to Ohio in the late 1960’s, Erin attended grade school in New Philadelphia where he played Little League Baseball, was a member of the Boy Scouts and spent most of his free time roaming the countryside with his friends and older sister. The simplicity of youth was shattered when, at the age of 11, he became the de facto ‘man of the house’ after his father unexpectedly died while on active duty with the U.S. Navy’s UNITAS operation in South America – an event which forever changed his life and gave shape to the man he would become and the principles he lived by. Despite this paradigm shift, the iron bond between his mother, sister and himself sustained him through good times and bad.

Moving to Columbus, OH the following year, Erin attended Junior High and High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio, where he developed a great passion for sports; participating on the football, wrestling, track and lacrosse teams throughout the year. It was these activities and experiences which cemented numerous life-long friendships, fostered his love of sports and established his ability to handle pressure with a considered grace.

Following high school, Erin attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he studied architecture for several years. Although he ultimately followed other educational and professional paths, the creative spirit that drew him to study architecture never left him and he found other outlets for his talent evidenced in his sketches, sculptures and writings. While attending Miami, he became a member of the Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where many more life-long friendships began. He continued his involvement in sports by playing on the university’ club lacrosse team where his passion for the sport truly blossomed. Erin was a true sportsman and would use the lessons he learned in high school and college as the foundation for coaching high school lacrosse teams in the future.

Professionally, Erin pursued a number of paths over the years, realizing success in each pursuit as a result of his uncompromising commitment to learning, personal excellence and determination, always complemented by a little charm and humor for good measure! His first vocation was in the landscaping realm, followed by stone sculpting and then ballroom dancing which took him to Wisconsin with his wife and son. Erin was in his 30’s when he embarked upon his career as a wealth management and financial advisor where he became a Vice President for Northwestern Mutual.

In his spare time, Erin volunteered his time coaching and developing lacrosse youth programs for many years, including serving as the Varsity Head Coach and Junior Varsity Head Coach at Arrowhead High School, Varsity Head Coach (girl’s program) at Oconomowoc High School, Chairman of the Wisconsin Coaches Association, Board Member and President of the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation. He was instrumental in the effort of having lacrosse become a sanctioned sport by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. Honors and awards for these efforts included US Lacrosse High School Person of the Year; US Lacrosse Boy’s High School Coach of the Year; Chairman’s Club (clarify); National Directors Award (clarify); and most recently, being inducted in the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Somehow, amidst all this activity, he also found time to enjoy playing guitar, mowing the lawn, sketching, cooking for family and friends, hunting, fishing, and being a ‘dog whisperer!’

Father, son, brother, uncle, coach, friend – there are many names Erin could claim over the years, often simply going by ‘e’ to those who knew him well. But the name and role he cherished most was that of the father to Arlo, Alayna and Zoe. His children were his absolute pride and joy, filling his heart with boundless love – and endless lessons! And while his spirit will live on in each of us whose lives he touched, it is in his children that the torch of his spirit and soul journeys into the future.

Loved ones who prepared the way for Erin include his grandparents Jim and Betty (nee Price) Pennington, Howard and Frances (nee Ennis) Baker, and his father Lt. Cmdr. Marvin Ennis. Loved ones who will miss Erin until they meet again are his mother Susan (nee Pennington) Ennis of Phoenix, AZ; his children Arlo Ennis of Milwaukee, WI, Alayna Ennis of Denver, CO and Zoe Ennis of Oconomowoc, WI; his sister Kristina Ennis and nephew Renat Robinson of Phoenix, AZ; his cousin Heather Pennington of Cleveland, OH; and his children’s mothers Kathy (Powell) Ewings of Sun Prairie, WI and Tami (Stopar) Ennis of Oconomowoc, WI. Together with his extended family and many friends, they shall hold him in their hearts until fortune brings them together again.

The family wishes to thank the Doctors, Nurses and staff at Froedtert Hospital & Medical College of Wisconsin for their compassion and care. And while there are too many wonderful friends who have supported Erin and the family during these past years to fully list, please know that we are so very thankful, as was Erin, for all you have done.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Visiting hours will begin at 12:00 PM, followed by the Service at 2:00 PM. A gathering of family and friends will immediately follow the service in the BLVD Restaurant at the Marriott West. Rooms can be reserved at the Marriott West under the Ennis Family Block for out-of-town visitors.

Erin asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Youth Lacrosse of Wisconsin. We are establishing The Erin Ennis Youth Lacrosse Fund for this purpose to support the development of athletic programs for youth, grants and scholarships across the state.

Checks to be made out to: Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation (memo line: Erin Ennis Youth Lacrosse Fund) and can be sent to: Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation, 3215 Golf Road Suite 192
Delafield, WI 53018.