Joseph Chapplain Erickson

Dad had a long, full life that was still cut too short by cancer.

He was born in New Westminster, B.C. to Mary and Herman Erickson. He had also of siblings; Monty, Edward, Douglas, Joan, Camella, Mary, Gloria, Catherine and Steena. Dad spoke of his early years, growing up in the depression; stories of working at a mushroom farm (of which he cracked many jokes) and later at Standard Oil where he accumulated a great many friends of which he still knew.

He met and married his wife Karin and went on to have four children; Tom, Diane, Mark and Greg. Sadly he was pre-deceased by his first wife Karin in 1970 also by cancer.

Not long after he reconnected with Betty, his second wife and they married and combined their families. Betty had two daughters, Kelly and Jackie as well as her younger brother B ill. Together they went from two small families to one very big one. Everyone moved into Dad’s house on 91A in Surrey where there was one bathroom and 9 people and more often than not some extras. It was chaotic and noisy but all- in-all we remember it fondly.

In the early years Dad was a volunteer firefighter with a Surrey Firehouse while working in sales and service at Associated Tire.

We all remember the crazy camping trips sometimes with extra friends or cousins along; always “the more the merrier” for Dad. He loved boating and fishing and later took up gold panning, just him and the dog.

After most of us were married and having families of our own, Dad started working at Plants Plus Garden Centre with Uncle Ed and Uncle Doug in Delta. Later we moved to Chilliwack where he and Mom ran the store there. After several years he moved on to the Abbotsford store and we spent a few years there and the back to Surrey.

Dad started working at chainsaw and lawnmower repairs and service. He worked at that for a few years before he and Mom moved on to Foster Care for teens (as if he and Mom hadn’t raised enough children already). They continued with that for another five years before he finally stopped and worked with Tom at the tire store for a few years. Meanwhile the family kept expanding.

Dad also loved to build things with wood. He started to make wood craft projects with Mom that they would sell or give as gifts. Then he started to make keepsakes for all their grandchildren. He made wood trucks for the boys and standing mirrors for the girls as well as framed two dollar bills for all. Later he made all us kids a manger from the copy of his original manger for Christmas Nativity.

Dad also loved to cook and even baking. Recipes were to be followed to the letter - no improvising and you better stay out of the kitchen while he was in there! Pretty much everyone at one time or another has had a birthday cake made by him or Mom.

Dad loved it when we all came to visit; it was probably his favourite thing. He was so proud of each and every one of his kids and grandkids and later great grandkids. He loved the big family get-togethers. Dad was also the first to ask if you needed help if you had something to get done. He and Mom were always volunteering to help out when needed and were always counted on to babysit the grandkids. All of our kids knew them so well and were always comfortable and welcome with them. Dad could always be counted on for a corny one liner and the cheeky grin to back it up.

There are too many things to mention about Dad that will be missed so I hope this gives everyone an idea about what kind of son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather ad great grandfather he was.

Love, all your Brats, Dad.