JOHN ERIK SÖDERMAN
John Erik Söderman, 76, Worcester, MA, passed away on March 1, 2020. He leaves dear family in Sweden including sisters Saida Blomqvist, Boden, and Elsie Johannson, Sundsvall; and their respective sons, Tommy Johansson, Sundsvall, and Johan Blomqvist, Piteå.
John was born on June 26, 1943 in Petalax, Finland. He moved, with his parents and siblings, to Sweden, the family’s genealogical homeland, as a child. As a young man he served in the Swedish Armed Forces and, following, held posts in the banking sector prior to immigrating to the United States in the mid-1960s. John made his U.S. home in Massachusetts variously in Holden, Webster and Worcester. He was a long-time employee of Saint-Gobain, Worcester, MA.
John married Milda Carlson, also a Finnish native, in 1969. The foundation of their 43-year marriage was a shared love of Scandinavian history, literature and culture; world and U.S. politics; entertaining; gardening; dogs; and desserts of any kind including Prinsesstårta, a Swedish Princess Cake. Milda predeceased John in 2012.
John relished life and, in later years, indulged his adventurous spirit. In 2017 he shed the trappings of home, save for a suitcase of clothes, and embarked on a carefree sojourn through Europe—Sweden to Spain to Santorini to Sicily. He returned to Worcester in 2018 with incredible memories and a hope for future treks.
John nurtured friendships with people from all walks of life and homelands. He will be a character in stories shared by many in Worcester and around the world for years to come.
Nordgren Memorial Chapel, Worcester, is overseeing private arrangements. John’s ashes will be flown to Sweden to rest alongside those his of beloved wife. Donations in memory of John Erik Söderman may be made to the Salvation Army. To leave a condolence message, please click link.