Albert J. Erickson

Erickson, Albert J.
Friday, May 19, 2023, at age 84. Predeceased by his parents, Albert & Josephine Erickson; brother, Russell Erickson; son-in-law, James J. Baldrighi. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ingrid (Kluge) Erickson; daughters, Lynne Baldrighi of VA, Veronica (Crispoldo) Campelli of MA, Elizabeth (Mark) Woish of CO; grandchildren, Eric Baldrighi of VA, Matthew (Kimberly) Campelli of MA, Jonathan (Rebecca) Campelli of MA, Elizabeth Campelli of MA, Rebecca Campeli of MA, Pietro Campelli of CA, Logan Woish of CO, Mason (Sandra) Woish of CO; great grandchildren, Isaiah Campelli, Ezra Campelli, Maple Woish; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Theresa Erickson, Wolfgang Kluge of CA, Karin and Ernest Giglio of Poughkeepsie, NY; many nieces and nephews.
Al married his high-school sweetheart and love of his life, Ingrid, after they graduated from Olean High. He earned his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from St Bonaventure University and University of Detroit in a work study ROTC program and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After serving a tour in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, he was sent by the Army to earn his master's degree from the University of Rochester in Chemical Engineering. Al had a very successful Army career and retired after 20 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel. He distinguished himself in his Army career in many ways: as an engineer and program manager working in the Chemical Corps and Corps of Engineers, serving a tour in Vietnam (1969) in the 1st Infantry, The Big Red One, was the executive officer of the 237th Engineer Battalion in Germany, successfully completed the radiological clean-up of Enewetok Atoll, and managed the testing for the developmental XM-1 tank, to name a few. His highly decorated career includes the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart in the Vietnam War. Al loved his country. Following his Army career, he transitioned to the private sector and worked for 12 years on developing training simulators for fossil fuel and nuclear reactors with accounts in China and South Africa, with Singer Link and CAE, a Montreal based company. Al was a devoted husband and father, who made his family feel cherished, adored, loved, and protected. He poured out his love on his ever-growing family with generosity. Al was skilled at stories about his interesting life, loved racketball, and could solve any crossword or Sudoku puzzle. While his family will miss him greatly, it is a blessing he is now free from his decades of pain. May he rest in the arms of his loving heavenly Father.
Friends may call THURSDAY, June 1, 2023, from 5-7PM at the DiPonzio Funeral Home, Inc., 219 Spencerport Road, Gates. On Friday, June 2, all are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at 9:30AM at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Road. Interment, Saturday, June 3, at 12:00 Noon at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, 3398 E. Main St (Route 417) Allegany, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Tunnels to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 (www.t2t.org), or to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in his memory.