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West Bend East High School

James Erickson Obituary

JAMES W. ERICKSON 'THE BIG SWEDE' ROCKFORD - Jim was born May 13, 1939, in Rockford to Lillian and Emil Erickson. He died Aug. 30, 2010, in SwedishAmerican Hospital. He graduated from East High School in 1957. Married Janice Zanocco on Nov. 21, 1959. He was employed by Smith Oil Co., in operations management for many years. He was a devout member of Holy Family Catholic Church. His conversion to Catholicism at age 20 strengthened his faith in God and sustained him throughout his life. He anticipated the day he could see the face of Christ. Jim will always be remembered for his love of coaching and working with youth in sports for Holy Family Blue baseball and the Ken Abraham Steelers football teams. He was also very proud of his Swedish heritage and referred to everyone he loved as a "big swede." His positive outlook on life inspired everyone he met. He always had a smile on his face and was concerned about others rather than himself. Jim loved life and above all, loved his family and his host of friends. He will be dearly missed. As he always said to his grandchildren, "See you later alligator, after while crocodile!" Survived by his loving wife, Janice; sons, Michael (Cheryl), John, Jeffrey and Paul; grandchildren, Kristen, Katie, Karolyn, Brittney and Christine; great-grandchild, Sofia; daughter-in-law, Patty; brother, Robert (Doris) Erickson; brother-in-law, Robert (Ann) Zanocco; sister-in-law, Carole (Dan) Burns; several nieces and nephews; and beloved grand-dog, Scruffy. Predeceased by parents; brother, Harold (LaVonne) Erickson; and sister, Janice Weber. A special thanks to the staff at SwedishAmerican Hospital, Dr. Joseph Ross and Dr. Robert Harner, Paula, Tammy and Fran. Mass of Resurrection at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, in Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road, with prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation also from noon Friday to time of service in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be established at a later date. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rockford Register Star from Sep. 1 to Sep. 2, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for James Erickson

19 Entries

Thomas Gallagher

September 14, 2010

Jancie,
So sorry for your loss - prayers for you and children.

Mike Rotello

September 3, 2010

Jan,
I am so sorry to here about Jim's passing. It has been many years since you and I worked together, but that is how I got to meet Jim and your boys. He was the kind of person who made you feel like he did really care. All of the testimonies written in this guest book are a real tribute to what kind of person he was.

My prayer is that your faith will help you and your family get through this tough time.

Joe Stark

September 3, 2010

Hello,
Jeff & Pauly, Sorry to hear about your Dad. I will remember him in my prayers. God Bless your family.
Joe Stark

Ray/MaryLouise Gaziano

September 2, 2010

Dear Jan and Sons,
Tonight we witnessed a beautiful tribute to one of the nicest men we had the pleasure of knowing.
Due to the many friends showing their respect to the family, we tried not to take up too much of our personal time with you but we also wanted to mention that although our intention was to see you tomorrow at the funeral we regretfully cannot attend. Please know that our thoughts will be with you and you'll be remembered in our prayers.

September 2, 2010

Jim was a great person I enjoyed working with him for many years at Smith Oil.Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Dick & Helen Fedeli, Bonita Springs FL.

Steve Cascio

September 2, 2010

To the Erickson Family: You can take great comfort in knowing what a wonderful man so many others thought "The Big Swede" was... What a great person and role model you were Jim. You will surely be missed by so many. Always a smile on your face and a cheerful word to others....

Mike White

September 1, 2010

Dear Jan -- We keep track of the special people in Rockford approx. twice a week on line and are very sorry to learn of your loss. It's
been some time since we saw you and Jim but the memories of his humor, care and concern for others will stay with us.

You are both in our prayers. Anita & Mike White

Cousin Barb Scott

September 1, 2010

Jan, Mike, Paul, Jeff and John,

I am so sorry to hear about Jim and I'm so glad I got to visit with the family in May. He was so special because he made everyone around him feel so special. I know you'll miss him greatly but we'll always have great memories of him and cherish the idea of him running and jumping and causing a raucus in heaven! My prayers will be with you.

September 1, 2010

Auntie Jan,Michael,John ,Jeff and Paulie,you all know how much we loved our Uncle Jim...I have great comfort knowing that he is with our own Dad. Please know we love you all and feel your great sorrow...
Anne and Rick Wagner ,Lauren,Anna and Cole

Amber

September 1, 2010

Jim will be greatly missed by the front desk staff at Five Points. He was always so cheerful and a joy to be around. -Amber and Carol

Kathy Ryan

September 1, 2010

Jan, Mike, Paul, Jeff and John,
Jim was a wonderful human being who taught us so much about having faith and dealing with pain and suffering. Doug and so many of us have been truely inspired by his love, strength, generosity, and faith. He suffered, but he never complained- May he rest in peace! Love You, Kathy Ryan

September 1, 2010

DEAR JAN,
I FEEL SAD FOR YOU BUT KNOW HE IS IN GOD'S CARE. I MISSED BEING YOUR MAILMAN.JIM WAS ALWAYS NICE AND FUNNY AND GAVE ME A COOL DRINK IN SUMMER.I USED TO PRAY FOR HIM ON THE MAIL ROUTE.SORRY I NEVER CAME AROUND AFTER I GOT A NEW ROUTE..MAY GOD BLESS YOU.YOUR FORMER MAILMAN JOE NICOSIA.

September 1, 2010

Mrs. Erickson, Mike and John, Jeff and Paul,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Erickson always had such a wonderful attitude. I am sure you will miss him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Anne-Marie Jaeger Demos

Teresa Sigala

September 1, 2010

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of "Uncle Jim". He was truly one of the nicest,sweetest man I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life growing up.He could light up a room the second he entered it. My prayers go out to the family of this wonderful man. Through thick and thin...and pain, he would always have a great big smile on his face that would light up a room in a matter of seconds.I love you all.~Teresa Siegrist-Sigala

Lisa Otto Imhoff

September 1, 2010

Jimmy was an inspiration to me. I'll always remember his constant smile, and yet he always made everyone feel that that smile was just for us.

Kelly Dallman

September 1, 2010

I was so sorry to hear about Jim's death. He was such an amazing and good-hearted person and always had a smile on his face. May God Bless his family.

September 1, 2010

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our beloved friend is now at peace. We were so blessed to have had the "Swede" in our lives.
We loved him dearly.
Dick & Sharon, your Iowa friends

September 1, 2010

The thoughts and prayers of the Appino family are with you at this time. It is with great fondness and respect that we remember the Big Swede. Everyone should have the opportunity to know at least one guy in their life with such a great sense of loyalty and devotion as Jim. I can picture him right now with his arm around St. Peter pointing to one of his grandkids and saying "do you see that Swede? Never a doubt!" May God bless and keep safe the Erickson and Zanocco families.

Dan & Pam Appino and family

Frank & Joanne DeCastris

September 1, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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