Larsen, Reverend Erik Winter

Waterford- The Reverend Erik Winter Larsen died unexpectedly at his home in Waterford on Thursday, June 9, at the age of 68. He was born July 13, 1953, in Hartford, Connecticut, to the late Erik Eigill Larsen and Margaret Hansen Larsen. He grew up in Avon, CT, and attended Avon Public Schools. He was a 1975 graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, and earned his M. Div. from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, in 1980. He was ordained to the diaconate in June, 1980, and to the priesthood in December, 1980. Erik served as Curate at

the Church of the Holy Trinity (Middletown, CT), Rector of St. Andrew's (Marble Dale, CT), Precentor of St. John's Cathedral (Hong Kong), Rector of St. Alban's (Simsbury, CT), Canon for Transition Ministries for the Diocese of Connecticut, Rector of St. Columba's Chapel (Middletown, RI), and Priest Associate at Christ Church (Westerly, RI). He was also an associate of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and served on the boards of the Center for Career Development and Ministry, the Society for the Increase of Ministry, the Seamen's' Church Institute (Newport, RI), several committees for the dioceses of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and various other organizations. Erik was a dedicated pastor, priest and friend to many. In his spare time, he loved fishing on his boat with his friends, and spending summer afternoons on Pleasure Beach with many of his long-time neighbors.

Erik is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karin (Bengtson) Larsen, his sons, Benjamin Larsen (Hyungjin Choi) of Queens, NY, and Gregory Larsen of Beaufort, NC, and one grandchild, Phillip Jiho Larsen. He is also survived by his sisters, Elin Larsen and Wendy Larsen, and several extended family members.

Interment will be held at the family's convenience, and a memorial service will be held later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Episcopal Relief & Development (www.episcopalrelief.org), Steep Rock Association (www.steeprockassoc.org), or a charity of the donor's choosing.

The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic is assisting the family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the family may be shared at www.neilanfuneralhome.com