John A. Erickson owned Groton publishing co., Army vet; 76 GROTON John Alexander Erickson, of Groton, passed peacefully on April 15, 2008, at the age of 76. John, born on Nov. 9, 1931, was the son of the late Margaret and John Alexander Erickson, Sr. of Arlington. John was a graduate of Arlington High School where he grew up, and caddied as a young man. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War, and later graduated with a business degree from Boston University. For over 30 years, John worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a social worker for the Department of Public Welfare. Later, he and his wife, Berta, owned and operated their own business, J&A Erickson, publishing local phone books for Groton and surrounding communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Upon retirement from the State, John enjoyed discussing politics, playing billiards and golfing with his son and friends. He mostly took pleasure in spending time with his family including his nine grandchildren and traveling abroad with his wife and other family members. John is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Alberta "Berta" Jones Erickson and their three children, Janis, and husband John, Raguin of Acton, Pamela, and husband, Chuck Smethurst of Groton, and Kenneth and wife, Andrea Erickson of Dunstable. John is also survived by his two sisters, Ruth Danforth of Ipswich, and Joan, and her husband, Royal MacDonald of Andover. Finally, John "Buppa" is survived by his nine grandchildren, Chantal and Erickson Raguin, Emily, Madeline, Jack and Samuel Smethurst, and Jack, Rachel and Hannah Erickson ERICKSON John Alexander. Friends may call on Friday, April 18, 2008 at Badger's Funeral Home on 45 School Street in Groton from 58 PM. The funeral service will be on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church on 1 Powderhouse Road in Groton at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes, P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432 or www.devenspantry.org or the Massachusetts Salvation Army, Attn: Development/WS, 147Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5197 or www.use.salvationarmy.org/mas.