Obituary of Russell S. Erickson

Russell Sten Erickson, 90, passed on to Heaven on December 27, 2020 from Covid-related pneumonia. He was born in Worcester, MA on September 8, 1930 son of the late Sten and Amy (Anderson) Erickson and lived most of his life in the Hartford area. He loved Hartford and had many fond memories of graduating from Bulkeley High School, working as a soda jerk at the Lincoln Dairy and enjoying Italian ices on Franklin Avenue. He was predeceased by his first wife, Valerie Claire Hildebrandt, and spent difficult years taking care of her while she fought Multiple Sclerosis. After mom died, Dad hit the lottery twice when he married a very special woman, Jeannette (Mangiafico). Dad married Jeannette on April 17,1999 and they were fortunate to spend 21 years together. Their early years were full of travel, grandchildren and dancing – lots of dancing. As Dad’s health and mobility gradually declined, Jeannette took care of him with the kind of love and patience rarely seen. Jeannette never left his side and he depended on her – as we all did. We can’t thank Jeannette enough for giving Dad the ability to stay in the home that they shared and loved so much. Russell joined the Navy when he was 19 and was a very proud veteran. After the Navy, he graduated from the University of Hartford. He spent his career as an Internal and External Audit Engineer at Pratt and Whitney and loved to tell stories of his and his team’s accomplishments. He remained deeply connected to Pratt and Whitney throughout his retirement. He was musically gifted. He could sing, play the trombone, the marimba, the ukelele and the harmonica. When Dad was happy, out came his harmonica. Our family affectionately sends a special shout-out to Dr. Jim Rosokoff, affectionately known as Dr. Uke – a very talented person with a huge heart and unlimited kindness. Russell played with the Glastonbury Ukelele band for years and the friendships he formed there brought him much joy in his later years. Similarly, he found a special comraderie with the Dunkin Donuts staff at 141 Hebron Avenue. He went there daily for years and knew just about everyone who walked in. Russell is survived by his wife, Jeannette, and his children Kristin and her husband, Marlon, of Glastonbury; Jeannie and her husband, Brian, of Glastonbury, Rich and his wife, Paula, of Glastonbury, David of Newport, NY and his stepson Sal of Cromwell, CT. His grandchildren brought him immeasurable happiness: Katie Stinchfield and her husband, Rob; Alex, and Jack; Matthew and David; and Cameron, Nina and Chase. He is also survived by his sister Barbara McCord and brother Wayne and their children, and sister-in-law Carmela Soucy. Dad had a big personality and his passing has left a huge void. In time, the tears will turn to smiles as we remember his sharp mind, his curiosity, his love of home design, his passion for financial news, his meticulous tax returns, his search for a true “old fashioned” donut, and finally, his love of watching sports, especially boxing, Tiger Woods and Patrick Mahomes. Dad, we are struggling to accept that you’ll never tell us to button up or to not drive in the rain ever again. But, after working so hard all your life and bravely fighting COVID, you can be at peace now. We will never forget you and will always love you. Due to Covid a private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday Jan. 8 at 10am and may be livestreamed at http://yourstreamlive.com/events/1741379. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Old Church Cemetery in Glastonbury. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Newington VA Medical Center, 555 Willard Ave, Newington, CT 06111 or to the Glastonbury Senior Center, 300 Welles St, Glastonbury, CT 06033. Mulryan Funeral Home, Glastonbury, is honored to serve the family. To share memories or send condolences, please visit Russell's memorial web-site at www.mulryanfh.com.