By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald
Fr. Ryan Erickson found dead at church
SUPERIOR -- Fr. Ryan Erickson, 31, parochial administrator of the Hurley, Montreal, Pence and Saxon parish cluster, was found dead on the church grounds of St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Parish in Hurley, Dec. 19.
According to information released by Hurley Police Chief Daniel Erspamer, Erickson was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m. by Iron County Coroner Paul Samardich. It appears Erickson took his own life.
Fr. Philip Heslin, moderator of the curia, said the diocese is saddened and shocked by Erickson's death. "Our prayers and condolences are extended to his family, friends and parishioners," Heslin said. "Erickson was well liked by both the children and adults at the parishes he served at (in) Hurley, Montreal, Pence and Saxon."
Deacon Russell Lundgren said parishioners are grieving over the loss of their priest. "Its been a tragedy for the parishes in the Holy Family cluster," Lundgren said. "We all thought very highly of him (Erickson). He was a very faith-filled man. We are all in shock and feeling a lot of pain over his death."
The Diocese, Heslin said, was recently advised that Erickson was being questioned by the Hudson Police Department in conjunction with the Feb. 5, 2002, deaths of Dan O'Connell, a Hudson funeral director, and Gene Ellison, an intern studying mortuary science.
"We have not been advised that there is any conclusive evidence that has been discovered tying Erickson to those tragic events" Heslin said.
"Erickson denied that he was involved in any way with these murders. It is our understanding that investigation by the Hudson Police Department continues. The Diocese of Superior will cooperate fully with the authorities in providing any information they request in their ongoing investigation," Heslin said.
Erickson attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn., and continued his studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He was ordained by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss on June 4, 2000, at St. Anne Church in Somerset.
His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Hudson. In 2003 he became associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and School in Ladysmith, St. Mary Parish, Hawkins, and St. Anthony de Padua Parish, Tony. Effective Aug. 10, 2004, he was appointed parochial administrator of St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Parish in Hurley, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Montreal, Holy Redeemer, Pence, and St. Ann Parish, Saxon.
At this time, all arrangements are pending. The family has requested that the funeral take place at St. Matthew Parish, Campbellsport, within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, after Christmas.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004