Norman Eveleth Erickson ... retired aircraft mechanic

ROCHESTER - Norman Eveleth Erickson, 90, died Wednesday, November 26, in a car accident. He is the son of the late Emrick and Alberta (Eveleth) Erickson. A proud Navy veteran of World War II, Norman faced life with a positive outlook and had many friends. Predeceased by his beloved wife Mary Louise Harvey in 1999, Norman was enormously proud of his 2 children, Alan Reed-Erickson of Rochester and Janet Erickson Valuk of Nashua, as well as his 34 years as an aircraft engine mechanic at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Norman attended Rochester High School, and enlisted in the Navy in 1943, serving in the South Pacific Theater. Most of his life he did not talk about that time. until recent years, when "The Greatest Generation" has been a focus of attention. Very recently, he was interviewed about that experience by a playwright who is writing about veteran's experiences.

Norman loved people, and joking around with them was a favorite pastime. Until recent years, he enjoyed summers at Ossipee Lake. In recent years he spent many an afternoon at Rochester Elks, kibbitizing over a beer with his many friends there.

He is survived by his son, Alan and wife Sharon; his daughter, Janet; his granddaughter, Sara Marino and husband, Greg: grandsons Adam Reed-Erickson and wife Michelle Morgan; Eric Valuk; and Matthew Valuk and wife, Mary Beth. He is also survived by a sister, Ruth Strong and her husband Leonard, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Earl Erickson, and son-in-law, Michael Joseph Valuk.