Al Erwin

There are no words to distill a 96-years-long life, fully lived, into a few sentences. For those of you who knew him, we know you agree, and for those of you who did not have the pleasure, believe us when we say that Alfred James Erwin -- father to Jim (Eileen), Don (Lillian), Kathy (Ed), Bob, Tom (Martha), Judy (Steve), and Mike (deceased, survived by his wife Lynne), grandfather to Nathan (Catalina) Erwin, Mark (Rob) Erwin-McCormick, Matt (Jenny) Erwin, Sarah Peterson, Valerie Erwin, Bryce Erwin, Mary Peterson, Mitch (Caitlin) Erwin, Lisa Peterson, Beth (Stephen) Sharp, and Andy Fisher, great grandfather to Savanna Erwin, Alejandra Erwin, Persephone (Effie) Erwin, and Cosimia (Cozzy) Erwin, and dearest husband of Mary Ellen Erwin (deceased)--left his mark on this world. He lived deliberately. He joined the service after the attack on Pearl Harbor to protect his country. After moving back to Michigan, he lived in the same house in Royal Oak for 70 years. He lived independently after the death of his wife until just a few weeks ago with the loving support of his children. He continued to play cards at the American Legion every week and went out to dinner every Friday. He never feared change. On the day before he died, he was watching the news about the midterm elections. He got chatting with his daughter and a few of his grandchildren about how they had voted. He shared he had voted all democrat for the first time in his life, and then added with a smile, “I finally learned after 96 years.” Born in 1922, Al saw the world change with increasing speed, but never shied away, continuing to watch the news and form new opinions, joining Facebook at 95-years-old, and using his tablet to videochat with his grandkids. And most importantly, he loved deeply. He was married to the love of his life, Mary Ellen, for 65 years. They met during World War II when he was stationed in Kansas City, fell in love, and moved back to Michigan at the end of the war. They loved each other, as well as golf, dinner and dancing, camping in their airstream trailer, and traveling. Their love story was one for the ages. Al Erwin was a brilliant, opinionated, quick-witted man, and he remained so until the end. He gave and received a lot of love, and he will be dearly missed. His memory will long live on in the hearts of all those who knew him. Visitation Monday, November 12, from 2-8:00 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Royal Oak (4 blocks E. of Woodward). Funeral service Tuesday, November 13, at 11:00 a.m. (in-state 10:00 am) at First Congregational Church of Royal Oak, 1314 Northwood Blvd. Burial at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak. Memorials to the Salvation Army are appreciated.

Al Erwin

April 28, 1922 - November 7, 2018