Charles P. Eriksen

CHARLES PETER ERIKSEN

OCTOBER 26,1942-APRIL 9, 2022

Charles Peter Eriksen died April 9, 2022 at the age 79 after a long illness. He was the loving and dearest husband of his wife Gail, to whom he was married for 39 years. He is survived by his sister, Gail Walker and his brother Roger Snyder; his sisters-in-laws Barbara Grosse and Rosemary Reimer and his brother-in-law Henry Grosse, and many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, all of whom loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his brother Greg Eriksen and his half sister, Karen Eriksen, and his brothers-in-law Philip Grosse and Eugene Reimer. In addition to his family, Charles leaves behind a legion of friends, neighbors and members of his church who were blessed to have known him.

After Charles was born in New Jersey, he and his family relocated to Detroit,  Michigan. Charles spent his entire childhood in the Detroit area. In the summers, Charles’ grandmother would take him to visit relatives in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. There he developed his love of nature, and created fond memories of fishing and boating in the waters of Lake Erie.

Following an honorable discharge from the military, Charles enjoyed work as a deck crew and first mate on a luxury motor yacht that sailed the ocean off the coast of California and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Later settling in Michigan, he acquired a vintage 1937 Cabin Cruiser which enabled him to refine and perfect his varnish and woodworking skills. He took delight in living near Lake St. Clair.

Charles was a man of many talents and passions. He was an accomplished amateur figure skater who competed in pairs figure skating competitions throughout the country. His awards and medals led him to become a well regarded skating coach training  aspiring young figure skaters in this elegant sport. In later years, he continued his athletic endeavors by taking up distance running and successfully completing two Detroit Free Press Marathons.

Charles’ meticulous attention to detail and a steady hand led him to work as a professional house painter in the Grosse Pointe communities. Subsequently, he became a valued member of the custodial staff in the Grosse Pointe Public School

System where he worked for 21years prior to his retirement in 2005.

None of these professional endeavors surpassed Charles’ greatest talent as a fine artist specializing in oil painting. His favorite subjects were animals, boats, landscapes and seascapes. His works are in many private collections and were proudly displayed and honored in local juried art shows, galleries and commercial establishments. He maintained an art studio in his home for many years.

Charles had several other great loves. One was celebrating the holidays, especially Halloween, when for years he would delight neighborhood children by dressing in his favorite character costume, Donald Duck. He also loved the Lord and became an active member of Hope Community Baptist Church for nearly ten years. During that time, Charles and Pastor George Johnson developed a close personal and spiritual relationship that has existed for decades. In the past ten years, Charles joined his wife and became a devoted member of the Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church. There he served as an usher and is fondly remembered by his fellow congregants for his cheerful demeanor and sense of humor. He studied the Bible daily and was comforted by its lessons. He was a true man of faith. May he rest in peace.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 7, 2022 beginning at 9:30am at Saint

Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 22412 Overlake Street , St. Clair Shores, Michigan.