john erickson

John W. Erickson Q.C.

Mr. John Walter Erickson, Q.C., age 71 years, passed away peacefully at the TBRHSC on Monday, September 5, 2011. John was born in Port Arthur on October 24, 1939, to Hannes and Aino Erickson. An exceptional athlete, John was captain of the football team at Queen's University, where he earned degrees in Arts and Law and received the Jenkins Trophy upon graduation for his academic and athletic achievements. He later played for the Toronto Argonauts. In 1987, John was inducted into the Queen's Football Hall of Fame. John was called to the Bar in 1965 and soon returned to Thunder Bay to begin a prominent law career which continued until his passing, the last 20 years with the firm Erickson and Partners. He believed strongly in giving back to his community and served with numerous organizations including the Thunder Bay Law Society, the Thunder Bay Airport Authority, the Hill City Kinsmen, the Progressive Conservative Party, the Trillium Foundation, the board of the LCBO, the Thunder Bay Country Club, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Port Arthur General Hospital, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Thunder Bay YMCA, the Council for Canadian Unity and the board of Ontario Hydro. He was also a mentor and role model to many young aboriginal professionals. John enjoyed travelling and living life to the fullest, but he was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his loving partner Margaret Thomson, his children David (Renee) Erickson, James Erickson and Sue (Paul) Cavanaugh, Margaret's children Brennan (Lori) Thomson, Charmian (Jeff) Crawford and James (Audrey) Thomson, his grandchildren Rachel, Jacob, Brooke and Dexter Erickson, William and Maxine Cavanaugh, Bennett, Sydney, Liam and Briar Thomson, and Olivia and Julianne Crawford, his mother Aino Erickson, his sister Jill Johnson and his niece and nephews Lorne (Linda) Johnson, Lynn (Dan) Burgess and Russell (Kirsten Oinonen) Johnson. He was predeceased by his father Hannes and brother-in-law Don Johnson. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the T.B.R.H.S. Foundation-Oncology Unit Fund would be appreciated.