Eric Alfred Enstrom

Eric Alfred (Alf) Enstrom, 93 years of age, passed away July 25, 2015, at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.

Alf was born in Port Arthur on May 12, 1922, the first-born son of Jonas and Elin Enstrom. He attended local public and high schools, graduating from Port Arthur Technical School. He worked as a tool and die maker at Canada Car through the war years. He then worked as a draftsman at C. D. Howe Engineering before moving on to Abitibi Provincial Paper, where he worked in the engineering department from 1947-1967. One of his big projects was working on the installation of Number 8 paper machine. Alf was the first faculty member hired at the newly opened Confederation College in 1967 and taught mechanical drafting there for 20 years. Alf continued his professional studies throughout his working years. He was awarded the Principal's Prize from Lakehead College in 1960 and went on to earn a Diploma in Engineering Technology (Mechanical) from Lakehead University in 1975.

Alf loved boating and fishing and often spoke with affection of his childhood days spent at his grandfather's fishing camp at Prince Bay. He was an artisan and inventor throughout his life, ranging from building a boat as a young man to designing artist easels in later life. During his retirement, Alf enjoyed painting, first in oils and then in water colours, and generously passed along many of his watercolour landscapes to his children. He enjoyed golf while wintering in Florida and later curled for many years with the Go Slow League. Alf always loved to dance, and over the past several years he rarely missed a chance to attend the weekly dances at the 55 Plus Centre.

Alf was a founding member of OACETT (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists) and a longtime Freemason and past master of Port Arthur Lodge. He was also a longtime member of the Scandinavian Home Society.

Alf is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Marjorie (Holmquist); his children: Richard (Ethel), Kevin (Trudi), Jeffrey (Noreen), and Jennifer (Jim Miniely); and his brother Daniel (Edith). He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Christopher (Sica), Erica (Steven), Kathryn, Kevin, Jori, Nicholas, and Samantha; four great grandsons: Erik, Brady, Sawyer, and Joshua; and a niece and two nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Jack.

A gathering to celebrate Alf's life will take place at the Georgian Room, St. Joseph's Heritage on Friday, July 31st from 1 to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, friends who so wish may make a donation to the Northern Cancer Fund or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.