David Chester Erickson

AUGUSTA – It is with great sadness that we announce that David Chester Erickson, 76, of Augusta, died unexpectedly at his home Monday, December 12, 2022.

He was born in Gardiner, ME on October 27, 1946, the son of Chester F. Erickson and Edith (Hanscom) Erickson.

David was a 1965 graduate of Gardiner Area High School and a 1969 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Economics. He was a lifelong Fighting Irish fan and in his later years would arrange his whole weekend schedule around the ND football and basketball schedules.

David married his high school sweetheart Bonnie Kidder in 1968. They had one son, Todd Darby Erickson in 1974. They divorced in 1991. David went on to marry the other love of his life, Vickey Gallagher in 1993.

After graduation, David was drafted into the Army in 1970 where he served overseas as an Assistant Chaplin. He was honorably discharged a few years later.

After his service in the military, David worked in the banking industry, serving as Vice President of various departments, most notably at Depositors, Key Bank and Casco Northern Bank. He dabbled in real estate and then made the leap into the insurance and bonding world in 1991 by joining Jones Hoxie Corporation. Throughout the course of his career, he also worked at Fairfield’s Insurance, Cross Insurance, The Insurance Source of Maine and GHM Insurance. David and his wife Vickey started their own company, Erickson Bonding & Insurance Associates in 2007. He enjoyed working as a team, first with his wife and then his son, right up until he passed. David made many dear and lifelong friends throughout his work career.

David was a long-time member of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 964, serving a term as Exalted Ruler and devoting much time to supporting the Elks fundraisers for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, among many other programs. He was also a member of the American Legion Post No.40, The Fraternal Order of the Eagles AERIE #3137 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Pine Tree Post #887. He really enjoyed his time serving on various committees, fundraising and socializing with friends that became like family to him.

David always had a story to tell. He could talk for hours about the good old days and had an extremely sharp memory. Some of the most hilarious stories were of Darby growing up, traveling and coaching his hockey teams and all of the shenanigans that would ensue with family friends along the way. He had stories about traveling the state of Maine for business. He never forgot a client or associate. Some of his fondest memories and stories were of time spent at the family camps on Caratunk and Ambajejus Lakes.

David was predeceased by his parents, stepfather Ralph Damon, wife Vickey, first wife Bonnie, and sisters Sandra Hazzard, June Haigis, Joyce Dill. He leaves behind his son, Todd Darby Erickson and wife Lisa of Chelsea, his beloved granddaughter Mallory Erickson, also of Chelsea, Brothers Jim Damon and wife Cheryl of Pittston and Bruce Erickson and wife Cass of Whitefield and a sister Maureen Holt of Randolph. He also leaves behind Dwight Desjardin, whom he considered his adopted son, as well as many who looked up to him as a father figure and called him Dad.

Family and friends may visit on Tuesday, December 20th from 5 until 7 pm at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME. A brief graveside service with military honors will be held at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Rd, Augusta, ME on Wednesday, December 21st at 9am.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

Donations can be made in David’s memory to either: Maine Children’s Cancer Fund at MMC Development Office, c/o MMCP, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102 or to VFW Post #887, Attn: Elysia Glazier, 509 Leighton Road, Augusta, ME 04330 for the VFW Department of Maine Commander’s Special Projects – Veterans Family Camp in Belgrade, Maine.