Edward Erikson

May 2, 1950-November 21, 2021

On Sunday, the Solemnity of Christ the King, Edward Leonard Erikson, beloved son, brother, and uncle, passed to the Lord after a short illness in Rockville, Maryland.

Ed grew up in Watertown, MA in the idyllic age of countless hours of playing outside until dark, neighborhood ball games in the streets, and bike rides everywhere. Ed made lifelong friends in Watertown who brought him joy and laughter every time they connected. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1968 and went on to earn his business degree from Suffolk University. After graduating from Suffolk, Ed moved to Maryland which became his home. Ed used the nickname “Leif Erikson” in his marketing career.

Ed was a courageous, quiet, humble man who devoted his life as a champion for those struggling with mental illness. He volunteered for over 30 years at the NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness) hot line and provided support to those in need. Ed’s outreach entered the social media world when he personally met Demi Lovato and shared his story.

Ed was raised in a family that is passionate about music and Ed’s joy was the Rolling Stones. He tracked them down at Logan airport in the late 1960’s and obtained their autographs. He attended numerous concerts and each Christmas he would receive an array of Stones items from his family.

Most importantly, Ed was a devout Catholic and practiced his faith through his simple, thoughtful life. One Christmas, Ed blessed his brother Richard, a priest, with a gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and was always sharing prayer cards and statues with his family.

When Ed’s time to journey home neared, the hospital staff facilitated calls to Ed so his family could express their final blessings. We asked that Ed be surrounded by prayers and Rolling Stones music. He passed peacefully to the Lord with his nephew, Kevin, by his side and surrounded by the loving virtual presence of his family. Richard had the solemn honor of offering prayers of commendation for Ed at the hospital, with Kevin still at Ed’s side and Ed’s sisters praying on the phone from the East and West Coast.

The family would like to express special gratitude to Judith Fitzpatrick, who grew up in Watertown and is a lifelong family friend. Judith lives in Maryland and over the last three months has been a source of support to our entire family, providing pickups at the airport, visiting Ed on our behalf, and sharing her expertise as a nurse to advocate for Ed’s care. We would also like to thank the wonderful staff of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital ICU, who provided compassionate care to Ed and support to his family through facilitation of Facetime calls and showing us great respect.

Ed leaves behind his loving father, H. Rick Erikson of Watertown, his brother, Chaplain, Brigadier General Richard Erikson (USAF, Retired) of the Reading Catholic Community, MA, sisters Deb Erikson Plumer and husband Larry Plumer of Byfield, MA, and Carol Erikson Hernandez and her husband Joaquin of Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA. Ed took great pride in his nieces and nephews, Richard (Ricky) Hernandez, Elizabeth Hernandez, Jason Plumer, and Kevin Plumer and his wife Rachel, whose wedding last week in Virginia brought Ed’s entire family into town and provided Ed’s family members the blessing of precious time with Ed.

Ed was gloriously reunited in Heaven with Betty Erikson, his mother and Carol Elizabeth Plumer, his niece.

Funeral services will be private and held at a later date. Donations in Edward’s honor can be made to care for those among us with invisible wounds: Guitars4Vets or Demi Lovato’s Mental Health Fund.

https://guitars4vets.org/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/thementalhealthfund