NEW SWEDEN – Oscar Wilton Erickson, died surrounded by his loving family on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013 in Bangor. He was born June 29, 1927, in New Sweden, the first son of Oscar and Bertha (Anderson) Erickson. He was the eldest of eight children.
Oscar was a true Swede and one of the last remaining native speakers in New Sweden. A cup of coffee and the Bangor Daily News always began his day. He served in the U.S. Army in France from 1945-1947.He was especially proud of his 42 years as a brakeman and conductor for the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad. He met many lifelong friends on the B & A. Oscar was a dedicated member of the Perkins Plourde Post 136 American Legion, Stockholm and was a member of Caribou Lodge No. 170 AF & AM for more than 60 years. There are few people in northern Maine who at one time or another hadn’t tasted one of Oscar’s famous biscuits. He swore by Five Roses Flour.
He was predeceased by his parents, loving brothers, Freddy, Billy and Dick; and a dear sister, Shirley. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Virginia (Rasmussen), who impressively and dutifully looked after him in his later years. They were very devoted parents and grandparents, attending hundreds of games, concerts, races and recitals. Five loving daughters and their families: Jasmine of Chapman, Valerie and her husband, Glenn, of Woodland, Kristi and Steve of Bangor, Tania and her husband, Tom, of Bangor, and Vanessa and Greg of Fairfield; his sister, Irene and husband, Clayton, of Woodland; sister, Janet of New Sweden, and sister, Patsy and husband, Dick, of Caribou; six loving grandchildren of whom he was very close, Jason of Woodland, Jonathan, his wife, Darcey and their two daughters, Denver and Aubrey of Chapman, Andrew of Chapman, Lucas of Stowe, Vt., Aliza and Kit of Montreal, and Alexis of Fairfield; a special nephew, Erick, his wife, Nicky and their kids, Kate and Jack of Caribou. He is also survived by many caring nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Perhaps more than anything else, Oscar was noted for two things: humility and generosity. He was a storyteller to the end and will be dearly missed.
Friends may visit with the family 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou, where American Legion services by the Perkins Plourde Post will be held at 6 p.m. and evening Masonic memorial services will be conducted by the officers and members of Caribou Lodge at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held noon Friday, May 31, from the Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church, where friends may also visit with the family from 11 a.m. until time of services. Those who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Erickson may do so through the Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 54, New Sweden, ME 04762; The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284; or Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
Oscar Wilton Erickson
