John W. Erkkila
August 5, 1946 — December 9, 2019
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Past Services
Visitation
Funeral Mass
Interment
John W. Erkkila
Born in Malden on August 5, 1946, John is one of four children of the late John and Mary (O'Connell) Erkkila.He graduated from Malden Catholic in 1964 where he enjoyed playing hockey.
In 1966, John enlisted in the United States Army, and went on to serve for 25 years as a Helicopter Pilot, with a tour of duty in Vietnam.John had wanted to fly all his life, and the Army gave him that opportunity.He retired with the rank of Captain.
After the service, he worked at MIT for almost 25 years as a Government Property Administrator.It was a job he enjoyed doing.
Among his other interests, he enjoyed working with wood and refinishing furniture, and liked to travel to Arizona, Hawaii, and Ogunquit Maine.He always looked forward to family gatherings and held a cookout for friends and family at his home for the last 24 years.
John was a proud veteran and a friendly gentleman.He will be remembered for his warmth, kindness, and sense of humor.
John was the beloved husband of Lucy M. (Jarzobski) Erkkila with whom he shared 21 years of marriage.Loving father of Leighann Michitson and her partner Charles Allen, Matthew Erkkila and his wife Jennifer, stepfather of Rachael (Forgit) Rippel and her husband Graham, and Rebecca Ewell and her husband Jeremy.Dear brother of Stephen Erkkila and his wife Denise, MaryAnn Erkkila, Christine Dupont and her husband Mark, and Cousin Thomas O'Connell.Proud grandfather of Deanna and Danielle Michitson, and Madison and Robert Erkkila, and step-grandfather of Grayden, Grace, Nathan, Alyssa, and Laura.Also survived by a great grandchild Jason and a niece and several nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor of John's life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 4-8pm, and again on Friday at 9am before leaving in procession to St. Mary's Church, Herbert St., Melrose, for his Funeral Mass celebrated at 10am. Interment at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Stoneham, with military honors presented by the US Army.In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans (dav.org) or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (vvmf.org). For more info please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John W. Erkkila, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, December 12, 2019
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Funeral Mass
Friday, December 13, 2019
Starts at 10:00 am
St. Mary's Church
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