Erik Hjelholt

Erik was born in Asferg, Denmark, to parents Karen and Johannes Jensen in 1946. Erik was raised in Odense, Denmark, and spent summers on his grandparents’ farm. As a youth he worked at the world-famous Danish marzipan factory and at Ford selling tractor parts. He also ran a music booking business, booking bands such as the Rolling Stones and The Animals.

Erik was also a photographer; he once filled in taking music photos for a friend and ended up on stage playing drums with Eric Clapton. He also worked with his father as a cattle driver transporting livestock across Europe by train to places like Serbia and Turkey. He used to tell a story of an instance of bringing head of cattle to the Bosnian mountains in Yugoslavia; he said it was so cold that he had to sleep standing up sandwiched between two cows or he would have frozen to death.

Erik lived in Denmark until immigrating to Canada in 1969; he arrived with two suitcases to visit his mom’s uncle, Martin, and never left apart from going back home to visit family. Upon coming to Canada, Erik worked on a dude ranch in Nanaimo and then worked in the Port Alberni sawmill for many years as a first aid attendant. Erik married Linda Webster on April 15, 1976, and had two daughters, Melinda and Lucinda.

Erik owned and operated 11 successful businesses during his life including Tandem Radio, Tandem Leasing, Tandem Security, Excel Message Centre, and Alberni-dot-Net. He also sold and installed outdoor radio towers on Vancouver Island, and he was proud of having provided the Alberni Valley with its very first high-speed wireless internet access.

Erik was part of many clubs and organizations throughout his life, including the Port Alberni 4-Wheel Drive Club and Ham Radio Club. He was a member of the Rotary Club for 25 years during which time he served as President, Treasurer, and participated in many charitable fundraisers and community functions. He also volunteered for Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue for 14 years and, during that time, held the record for most hours served on the West Coast for active time spent on rescue missions.

Erik was very intelligent, excelled in matters of business, and loved to read spy novels in his spare time. His favourite books were “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, “The Honourable Schoolboy”, and “Smiley’s People”. He also enjoyed music and was an avid blues fan; he was a walking, talking encyclopaedia of blues history and trivia, and some of his greatest memories were seeing BB King, John Lee Hooker, and Etta James in concert. Erik was a steadfast, solid foundation for his family, and will be greatly missed.

Erik was predeceased by his father Johannes Jensen, mother Karen Hjelholt-Jensen, and wife Linda Webster Hjelholt. He leaves behind his daughters Melinda and Lucinda; his brother Kurt Hjelholt; sisters-in-law Karen Hjelholt, Emily Hart, and Pam Webster; grandchildren Kasimir, Alastair, Magnus, Tør, Ko Ko, and Vukašin; great grandchildren Alexis and Dawn; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 24 at 1-3pm at Char’s Landing, Port Alberni, BC. Donations to Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, for which Erik volunteered, would be appreciated. Thank you for all your love, support, and comfort during this difficult time.