John Eric Erickson
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Eric Erickson, 89 years of age, on July 20, 2023 in Whitehorse, Yukon.
John was born in Whitehorse, Yukon on August 23, 1933. Growing up in Whitehorse, he lived and worked in the family business, the Regina Hotel on First and Wood. He spent his adult life as the proprietor of the Regina Hotel where eventually he was joined by his sister, Gudrun Sparling.
John was an avid softball player, bowler and golfer. He organized and operated a ten pin bowling league, assisted in organizing the commercial hockey league and served as the Softball Canada Commissioner of the Yukon from 1972 to 1985. Through the Regina Hotel, he sponsored a number of adult hockey and ball teams, but was most proud of the many youth teams he sponsored over the years.
For his many contributions to sports in the Yukon, John was inducted into the Yukon Sports Hall Of Fame in 1982.
Special thanks to the dedicated staff and physio team at Whitehorse General Hospital and Copper Ridge Place for the care provided to John.
Many thanks to the dog walkers and others that said hi and visited with him on his regular walks through Riverdale. He always looked forward to seeing both two and four legged friends. Know that your kindness always sent him home with a smile on his face.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity or organization of your choice in memory of John Eric Erickson.
IAN ROBERTSON
John was a golfing buddy I played with and for a number of years, that also included a spring trip to Kelowna which included getting to know some of his Okanogan relatives. Even as health problems with knees, back and macular degeneration started to affect his eyesight, he stilled played golf and I swear his putting improved. It would drive me nuts when he would sink a 30 foot put where the flag was a blur at best. In his last few years when he couldn’t drive, he would ride his bike around Riverdale and the use his walker to get the Whitehorse Star at Super A. john and his older sister Gudrum cared deeply about this community and their respective contributions both individually and collectively through the Regina Hotel made Whitehorse a good place to live. I miss them both.
Joan Steele
I would like to extend my condolences to Joe Sparling and family and all of John’s family. I used to golf with John and my husband Doug and girls. It was my job to keep an eye on John’ s golf ball when he hit. He was a great guy.