Eric Vanderway was be played by Jon Briddell on November 8, 2019.
Eric is the deceased father of Theo Vanderway. In October of 2019, Eric was revealed to be the long lost son of Stuart Brooks and Dina Mergeron, conceived from a one night stand in high school. Eric was given up for adoption and was raised by Ralph and Margaret Vanderway. Eric became a union representative and had a close relationship with Theo. He died of a heart attack and Theo kept his pocket watch that was engraved with his initials.
When Theo found out the truth about his lineage, he asked to see Dina. Upon hearing the name Vanderway, Dina confuses Theo for Eric and asked if he was well taken care of. Theo pretended to be Eric and told Dina he was well cared for and loved, giving her some peace of mind.
On November 8, 2019; Theo was staring at Eric’s pocket watch when he imagined Eric appearing and talking to him. Eric told Theo he needed a haircut. Theo tearfully laugher that he used to hate it when Eric would say that, but now he misses it like he misses him. Theo asked Eric if he knew who he really was. Eric said he was Eric Vanderway, son of Ralph and Margaret Vanderway, who were his family just as him and Theo’s mom were to Theo, and he regrets they weren’t around longer for him.
Theo said he didn’t know what to do. He now knows he is a part of a big family and some want him to be a part of it while others don’t. Eric said that everyone has an opinion, but Theo’s is the only one that matters. Eric told Theo to go with his gut like he always told him and said he had a good head on his shoulders. As Eric went to leave, Theo told him Dina wanted him to have a good life. Eric said he had a good life and wants the same for Theo.