Melbourne L. "Erik" Eriksen, 80, died peacefully at The Community Hospice House in Merrimack on FRIDAY, December 23rd surrounded by his loving family. He is the beloved husband of Sharon (Blanchard) Eriksen with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.

Erik was born in Warren, PA, on June 21, 1942, and was the son of the late Eugene and Mildred (Bennett) Eriksen. He received his education in the Warren County school system and was a graduate of Warren Area High School.

He proudly served in the United States Navy for over 17 years before being honorably discharged.

In his later years, he was an electrician for Rudolph Electric, a slitter operator for Nashua Corporation, and a machinist for Teradyne.

In his leisure time, Erik loved reading and spending time outdoors tending to his garden, fishing, camping, and boating in the New Hampshire lakes region. He was a skilled woodworker and had a deep love of animals. Above all, his most cherished time was spent with his family who will miss him immensely.

In addition to his wife Sharon, he is survived by his stepson Christopher McMullen and his wife Juline of Marblehead, MA; his sister-in-law Claire Babineau of Gilford; his grandchildren Lucy, Julia, and William; two children from his first marriage; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Erik was predeceased by his four siblings.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on SATURDAY, January 7th from 2 until 3:30 PM at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua. His Funeral Service will follow in the Funeral Home at 3:30 PM. Interment and military honors presentation will take place in the spring at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Erik's name to The Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054 or to the Nashua Humane Society, 24 Ferry Road, Nashua, NH 03064.