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BORN
1921
DIED
2011
John Ackerlind Obituary
-A man of great character and love, born September 25, 1921 in Malmo, Sweden, died May 6, 2011 at 6:20 PM surrounded by family and friends. Served in Swedish Royal Airforce during WWII. He met Karin on June 6, 1944. Married 64 years. They emigrated to America in 1948 eventually settling in Laguna Beach and finally in Laguna Woods.
He is survived by wife Karin; brother Carl (Britta,) their son Mike; sister Margareta her children Anita and Robert, and grand daughters Alison and Natalie. Children: Carolyn, daughter Kaisa (Brian); Claudia (Craig); Katrina(Ken) son Michael, daughter Amy(Cody), and two great grand children, Trey and Harper; son John-Eric (Jayne).
For the last 48 years of his life John evolved to become a highly loved and respected member and a much loved speaker in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He epitomized the finest ideal of AA - making sure that everyone, especially the befuddled newcomer, knew that they were loved.
Memorial Service to be held May 14 at 10 AM Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Ackerlind
Sponsored by Kurt Radcliffe.
September 23, 2011
To Claudia, and Carolyn, I'm so sorry for your loss. Mike Fickel
richard egizi
August 23, 2011
John always made me feel as though he and I were the very best of friends. I love him deeply.
Richard Egizi, Venice, CA.
August 2, 2011
My best friend for sixty-two years, my guiding light of sobriety for twenty-four years, my "always there" mentor, John showed me the way to accept
responsibility and behave as a mature man. His observations were usually filled with gentle (or risque) humor; but never unkind. I am blessed
to have known this very special man. God Bless you, and Thankyou, Johnnie! Richard Selje, Pasadena, CA.
Kurt Radcliffe
July 28, 2011
I was so sorry to hear that Johnnie had passed. I live in North Carolina and could not attend the memorial. I give you a hug from afar and know your friends in the fellowship are taking good care of you.
K. Harrison
May 31, 2011
My deepest sympathies go out to the Ackerlind Family during this most difficult time of loss. May the words found at Isaiah 61:2 bring you comfort.
Pete Helling
May 23, 2011
I wish the notice of John's passing had appeared in The Times before his memorial so we in LA could have attended. John was as inspiring as he was funny, which means he was very inspiring. God bless him forever. A wonderful wonderful man.
claudia haworth
May 19, 2011
May 19th,2011
There are so many stories and memories about my Dad; one of my favorites was when I was probably about 8, the bus stop was in front of our house in Anaheim. Dad would come out at 7 am, with his trunks and sunglasses on, and a martini glass. He would get all the kids to gather on the front lawn and give all of us a badmitton racket. Dad would be on one side of the net, and the rest of us on the other side and we'd play until the bus came. As I got older, and had several disatrous boyfriends, he'd find me crying, and he'd say, "don't worry Claudia, God has someone very special in store for you." And then Craig came into my life. Dad had an uncanny way of knowing things before they happened. Oh, how I miss you. I love you Mom. Claudia
Lionel Smith
May 16, 2011
A humble Giant of a man. Humorous, sensitive, generous, thoughtful man. Leaving a great. Legacy of Love and Service. Thanks, John and Family. Bless you.
Lexi Rekward Scragg
May 16, 2011
My thoughts and hope for a safe journey on your next adventure. You were loved and respected. you are one of my hero's xoxo Lexi R. Apple Valley
James Murrell
May 16, 2011
In Jan 1982, six months sober, I heard John Ackerlind speak in Houston Texas. A case took me to Newport Beach a month later. A few days with clients and no meetings found me very jittery. Somehow I had gotten John's number at Houston, so I called him for a meeting location. John asked where I was, and finding out I had a rental car, said to meet him at a nearby McDonalds. From there, he led me to Chuck C's meeting in Laguna Beach. Over the next couple of years, I visited the area several times on business & each time John and I got together for a meeting. In 1988, I was speaker Chair for the Big Deep South Conv. in New Orleans and John was the first person I called to speak. In subsequent years, I played some part in getting John and the very lovely Karin to speak in the South a number of times. Each Christmas, we would exchange greetings and would call each other from time to time, most recently about a month ago. How blessed I am to have known such a grand man as John Ackerlind
Sue Wolfrom
May 15, 2011
Karin - It was such an honor to know both you and Johnnie. We always enjoyed your company.
My Earle passed away a few days before Johnnie, so I figure with Paul pulling Earle up to heaven and John pushing him up from behind, Earle will probably make it to be at the big meeting in the sky!!!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Love and big hugs, Sue
John Hartman
May 15, 2011
My heartfelt condolences to Karin. John will be remembered as one of the great ones in our fellowship who sought to bring recovery to many in need in South Orange County. His is a very real legacy.
John B
May 14, 2011
My deepest sympathy and condolences. AA has lost a great member of the Fellowship.
Randy Adair
May 14, 2011
Johnny (Yonnie) I never stopped laughing whenever we met. You will be missed by us all but what a example of the joy we all share. Randy Adair
May 14, 2011
John Ackerlind, handsome and dashing...bold and urbane, with a quick wit and a wickedly slow delivery. You & Karin have so generously touched and uplifted so many lives. A gentle heart and a gentleman. A man among men. Lauren M. & Lisa M.
May 14, 2011
John, your royal humor, paired with the message of sincerity and hope, has meant to many the necessary attraction to start on our path to freedom. We'll meet soon - Regina K.
Cathy & Curt Satter
May 13, 2011
Karin and family - we are so sorry for your loss and John will be missed. We have many memories of John that we will always keep close to our hearts. His wit and love of the program really shows us that laughter heals. God Bless you and your family.
Dale Harrison
May 13, 2011
Johnny,
'I have enjoyed your loving wit and wisdom for the last 40+ years. You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again, keep carrying our message. God Bless, Dale Harrison, Banning, CA.
Al Tetreault
May 13, 2011
John, We will miss you. Pam and I talked about you last week. I had this wierd dream and woke up screaming. according to Pam I was just making this wierd moaning noise. We started laughing and revisited your Giant white Snake story...man you could make us laugh. You will be missed. God speed and prayers for your family...GIANT HUGS! Love, Al and Pam T.
May 13, 2011
John, you are a gentle and courageous man, a man of honor and dignity, a role model and a servant - you are one of my heros and I will miss you - Patti O
May 13, 2011
John, i'm honored to have known you for many years. You will be missed. Rest in peace, my friend. -Art I.
jackie T.
May 13, 2011
Will meet again one day at the BIG meeting, till then God is in charge
Big Joe Waterworth
May 13, 2011
Thank you Karin and the family for sharing your husband, father and grandfather with us in the program for 48 years.
As he loved so many, so many loved him.
ronnie pringle
May 13, 2011
John,Words cannot express how you will be missed....
Give Jalene a hug for me, up in heaven.
Ronnie
May 13, 2011
Thank you John for your love and service to others. You have helped thousands of people and will be missed by many. -Sean M
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