LOUDONVILLE — John Allan Erickson, known to his family and friends as Leif, was a hard-working business owner, an avid race car fan, and a loyal father, grandfather, and companion. He died on Dec. 15, 2014, in Albany. He was 80.
“My father, Leif, was a strong man with tender, twinkling blue eyes,” said his daughter, Janine Haynes. “He transparently and directly communicated his thoughts, beliefs and concerns.”

Born in Rensselaerville on Dec. 23, 1933, to Hjalmar and Beata Erickson, who were Swedish immigrants, Mr. Erickson was given the nickname “Leif” when he was young. His daughter said that Vikings, like the famous Leif Erickson, were strong, forceful, and bold.

“My dad is 100-percent Swedish,” she said.

Mr. Erickson was born in a little farmhouse off Stewart Road in Rensselaerville, his daughter said. The famous lady country doctor, Dr. Anna Perkins, delivered him and placed him in a shoebox in the oven of the farmhouse to keep him warm, Ms. Haynes said. His mother, Beata, named him Allan John.

“Dr. Perkins changed his name to John Allan,” Ms. Haynes said. “She said it didn’t sound right.”

As a young man, Mr. Erickson worked on local farms in Rensselaerville.

Mr. Erickson also served in the United States Army. Fire destroyed the records of the particular years during which he was enlisted.

“He was very proud of serving his country,” his daughter said.

Mr. Erickson owned several businesses during his lifetime, including Economy Excavating, where he was a master bulldozer operator, his daughter said. He was also a truck driver, and he restored cars. Mr. Erickson was an avid race car fan, following driver Billy Decker and his crew.

Mr. Erickson spent 25 years with his “beloved and admired redhead,” Marie Tucker, as his companion, his daughter said. Mr. Erickson also loved his American Eskimo Dog, Cuddles.

“He went to the races with him. He was his buddy,” Ms. Haynes said of Cuddles.

“He managed and controlled a debilitating illness…for many years, yet he did not let the disease control or stop him from going to the car races or living life the way he wanted,” Ms. Haynes said. Mr. Erickson had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, she said.

“He managed it. He was never in the hospital,” she said. “He was generous with his time, skill, words, and always looked forward to spending time with family and friends. The Barlow and Quickenton Families became an extension to his own biological family.”

Mr. Erickson requested before his death that no funeral be held.

“He would like you all to ‘keep on truckin’, celebrate life, and spend time together,’ ” his family wrote in a tribute. Mr. Erickson also expressed to his friends, “You know, wherever you go, there you are, but you can’t get there from here.”

“Those that knew him will have a void in their hearts, will miss him so much,” his daughter said, “However, they will long remember who he was, and is, and how he personally touched their own lives.”

The family wrote in a tribute, “Leif, Allan, Dad — Papa, you will be deeply missed, yet always live in our hearts and be here in spirit. Happy birthday — Dec. 23 — 81 years young today!”

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Mr. Erickson is survived by his companion, Marie Tucker; his sister, Jean Coburn; his son, Neal Erickson; his daughters, Yvonne Carr and Janine Haynes; and his grandchildren, Hans Remmers, Michael Carr, Dana Erickson, Erica Haynes, and Colleen Haynes.

His parents, Hjalmar and Beata Erickson; his brother, Robert Erickson; and his sisters, Norma Erickson and Hazel Wood, died before him.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, or online at www.stjude.org; or to the Alpha 1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida, 33134, or online at www.Alpha1.org.

— Jo E. Prout