Eric A. Engstrom, Jr., 89, of Sarasota, Florida passed away on August 7, 2015. His beloved wife of 53 years, Ruth E. (Crosson) Engstrom passed away in 1999.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eric A. Engstrom, Sr. and Laura M. (Blake) Engstrom and also by his sister, Eugenia Lopes. Eric was born in Cranston on September 26, 1925 and as a young child, he moved to Warwick where he lived many years. He was an eyelet toolmaker by trade, apprenticed under his father. In 1961, he and his wife and children moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada where he was the Vice President of Manufacturing for Rau of Canada. They remained in Montreal for 15 years before returning to Warwick. He retired as Plant Manager from Truex Inc. in 1985.
Eric was very proud to have served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He obtained his private pilot license in 1976 and owned his own plane. He joined the Civil Air Patrol and flew many search and rescue missions in RI and FL. He retired from the CAP with the rank of MAJ in 2009. He was the owner and CEO of two companies: Custom Tool and Gauge and Gaspee Sales. While in Montreal, he was very active in the Lions Club.
He was a Mason and a past master of Orpheus Lodge, now affiliated with St. John’s Lodge 1P. His other Masonic memberships included Harmony Chapter #15 R.A.M.; Doric Council #7 R.S.M.; St. John’s Commandery No. 1 K.T. and the Sahib Shriners of Sarasota, FL. He was a life member of Scottish Rite, Valley of Providence and a coronated 33rd Degree Honorary Member of the Supreme Council A.A.S.R. of Freemason. He was also a life member of Roger Williams Priory #48, Knights of the York Cross of Honour. He also was an avid golfer and boater. Above all, he was a very devoted and loving family man. That was of the utmost importance to him. His family always came first. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by three daughters: Kathleen Engstrom of Sarasota, FL, Jacqueline Testa of Aiken, South Carolina and Mary Ratelle of Coventry, RI. He is also survived by three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 from 6-8p.m. at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick, RI. Funeral and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to The Children’s Dyslexia Center of RI, One Rhodes Place, Cranston, RI 02905. Remembrances may be shared at carpenterjenks.com
