Russell Ericksen

Russell Ericksen, a gentle soul who lived a long and fulfilling life, died peacefully on January 20, 2025, at the age of 90. Russ was born on July 6, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the only child of Roy and Frieda Ericksen. He attended New York City Public Schools, graduating from Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn. At seventeen, he enlisted in the Army National Guard of New York where he proudly served for thirteen years while working civilian jobs and attending Wagner College, earning a degree in 1973.

Russ’s paternal grandfather was an Olympian, winning a gold medal in wrestling in the 1904 Olympics. From him, Russ inherited the athletic talent that helped him secure a position with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. While initially hired to teach and organize sports programs, the department soon needed someone to teach dance programs and Russ, with no experience in dance, discovered his life’s passion when he took the job. He ended up becoming the coordinator and consultant of Square and Folk Dance Programs for NYC Parks and Recreation for over 35 years. Some of his dance programs were regularly featured on ABC’s “Morning Show” throughout the 70s.

Russ was also involved in many recreational dance clubs in the New York and New Jersey area and it was here that he met the love of his life, Lucille Roberts Borysko. They married in 1984 and upon Russ’s retirement, they moved to Ann Arbor to be closer to Lucille’s daughter, Kathy Borysko, son in law Jack Gorine and their growing family of grandchildren. Russ and Lucille quickly became involved in many dance clubs and programs throughout the Ann Arbor area and could often be seen going off together, in full costume, to dance.

Russ continued his involvement in the dance community after Lucille passed in 2012. He was a passionate member of the Ann Arbor Folkdancers for many years, devoting countless hours to digitizing music, creating programs, teaching, leading, and sustaining the international dance tradition in Ann Arbor. He also very much loved Israeli dancing at the JCC of Ann Arbor and West Bloomfield and was a member of the Just for Kicks line dance group for many years. He met many wonderful friends through his involvement in dance.

In addition to Lucille, Russ is predeceased by Jack Gorine and stepson Steve Borysko. He is survived by his stepdaughter Kathy Borysko of Ann Arbor and her children Allison, John, and Kevin. Also surviving is stepson Robert Borysko of New Jersey and his family.

We are grateful for the staff of Orchard Hills Living and Arbor Hospice for their compassionate care over the last few months. Thank you all.

Russ will be remembered and missed by many, but especially by his stepdaughter Kathy, who will always fondly remember some of Russ’s favorites- watching the movie “When Harry Met Sally” (over and over), preparing his Red Rose tea with milk and honey and driving around in the 2001 Odyssey minivan together to pick up soup and goodies at Plum Market or Whole Foods.

Private memorial services will be held by the family.