Edward "Eddy" Erickson

Former Anchorage resident Edward "Eddy" Erickson passed away at Bellair Health Care Center in Largo, Fla., April 15 with his loving wife of 53 years by his side. He was 78.

Eddy was born Feb. 29, 1933 in Worcester, Mass. After graduation from Trade High School in Worcester, he joined the Army and later served two years in Korea.

After leaving the Army, he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Rose Marie Eksala. They wed and made a two-year cross-country trek that eventually found them in Anchorage in 1959.

Ed and Rose made Anchorage their home. They raised four children while here in Anchorage. Eddy worked a civil service job as a truck driver on Elmendorf Air Force Base until his retirement. He was very much liked and well respected by his co-workers and all who knew him.

Nothing thrilled Eddy more than his house projects or working on his car. He loved working with his tools, always trying to make life around the house a little better.

Eddy was an avid Red Sox fan ... GO SOX.

Eddy was preceded in death by his parents, Ludvig and Marion Erickson; his son, Edward Erickson Jr.; and his daughter, Patricia Erickson-Bowden.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rose; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Ronald Gaucher; daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Lonnie Bursen; daughter and son-in-law, Dotty and Alan Arima. Eddy also had six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Rose's last words to Eddy: "Sleep well, my love."