Dr. Jay William Erickson
Erickson
Jay William Erickson, Ph.D., 86, of Holmes Beach, died June 27.
He was born Aug. 6, 1934, in Fredonia (Pomfret), New York to Oscar Eric and Fay Isabel (Miller).
He graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a bachelor of science and education in 1959 and received a master’s in science education in 1960 and a doctorate in science and education in 1963 from Columbia University.
He met his wife, Terry, at SUNY Fredonia and together they celebrated 62 years of marriage, sharing adventures and their devotion to family.
Dr. Erickson was an associate professor of natural sciences and a professor of organic and biochemistry at Teacher’s College, Columbia University in the early 1960s.
He then joined the Columbia team as a professor of science education (chemistry/physics) at Kabul University in Afghanistan 1966-71, where he became fluent in Farsi.
From 1972-76, he was professor of education and programs director at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
He is remembered by students as being both challenging and supportive.
In 1976, he and his wife moved to Anna Maria Island, where he became a sales agent for Beckett Realty and an independent property manager.
Throughout his life, he was an avid walker, hiker and traveler. He walked the beaches and sidewalks of Anna Maria Island daily — wearing his African hat — and did most of his errands by bicycle.
During the summers between 1987 and 1994, he hiked the Appalachian Trail, where he was known as the “Red Baron.” He completed the trail on his 60th birthday. The “Red Baron” nickname came from his passion for flying his Piper Cherokee.
He helped his daughters with Girl Scouts and sons with Boy Scouts, making sure to instill a love of the outdoors.
He traveled the world with Terry, taking camping trips, many international vacations and family cruises.
A favorite quote of his is from J.R. Tolkien: “Not all who wander are lost.”
His love of people and his great sense of humor were known by family, friends and everyone he met, as he never met a stranger.
He was vibrant, brilliant, jovial and young-at-heart.
Those wishing to honor him, can make an online donation to the Alzheimer’s Society Florida Gulf Coast Chapter at www.alz.org/flgulfcoast A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
Dr. Erickson is survived by his daughters, Dawn and husband James, and Deborah Pate and husband David; son Jay II and wife Jennifer; sister Mary Lou Bell and husband Gordon; and eight grandchildren.