Obituary of Olaf Morley Erickson

Olaf Morley Erickson, 88, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 1, 2018 in Lockport, NY at Niagara Hospice House.

Olaf was born in Tofield, Alberta to the late Mikal and Borghild Erickson on February 15, 1930.  He graduated from Tofield High School in 1948, and became the first person in his family to attend college.  He graduated from the University of Alberta with a BS in Civil Engineering and continued his education at the University of Iowa where he earned an MS in hydro-electric engineering & dam construction.  Olaf worked on large and small scale hydro projects for Acres International and finished his career running engineering and operations for Independent Hydro Developers.  He also spent over a decade working at Lauer and Mack Construction.

Olaf was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with family and friends as often as possible; along the way, he racked up four hole-in-ones and won the Mr. and Mrs. club championship at NFCC thirteen times.  Olaf also enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, and spending time at the lake.  After retiring in 1996, he spent time volunteering at Messiah Lutheran church where he was Treasurer and was active with the property committee – he also was a member of the Rotary club and served on the board of governors at NFCC.  Most of all, Olaf enjoyed spending time with his family - each member of his family was very special to him.  He was very influential in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Some of the greatest gifts Olaf gave his family were a great strength and faith in God, strong morals and love.

On October 15, 1961, Olaf married Janet (Mack) Erickson who predeceased him on April 20, 2006.  Olaf is survived by his daughter, Kristen (John Moore) Quiett, son, Scott (Linnea) Erickson, sister, Linda (Wayne) Schmidt, five grandchildren, Cody and Kyle (Nichole) Quiett, and Leah, Katherine and Christian Erickson.  He is preceded in death by his brother, Bjarne Erickson.

Funeral services will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah 915 Oneida St., Lewiston, NY on August 6 at 10:30am with Reverend Thomas Mason of the Lutheran Church of the Messiah officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverdale Cemetery 5605 Old Lewiston Road.  Visitation will be held at Hardison Funeral Home N. Fourth and Ridge Sts. Lewiston, NY on August 5th from 4-7pm.  Hardison Funeral Homes will be handling the funeral arrangements. 

Memorial donations may be made to Niagara Hospice or the American Heart Association.  The family wished to extend their gratitude to his homecare aides (Nancy, Tonna, Theresa and Christy), Memorial Hospital and Niagara Hospice for the special and loving care that they extended to him.