Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servants. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, sheep of your own fold, lambs of your own flock, sinners of your own redeeming. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The Rev. Canon Erik Winter Larsen
June 13, 1953-June 9, 2022
From the Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Bishop Diocesan: “The sudden death of the Rev. Erik Larsen last week has come as a great shock to many of us in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Erik was a real ‘son of the diocese’ and a loving colleague and friend to many across the diocese and beyond. Born, raised, and ordained in Connecticut, Erik was a genuine Nutmegger. His happy place was fishing in his boat along the shoreline with long-time friends. As Canon for Transition Ministries, Erik offered me a warm and gracious welcome to Diocesan House. I will always be thankful for his wise and generous introduction to the many and varied parishes across the diocese. We have lost a dear brother in Christ. May God receive Erik into God’s loving embrace of eternal life.”
The Reverend Canon Erik Winter Larsen died unexpectedly at his home in Waterford on Thursday, June 9, at the age of 68. He was born July 13, 1953, in Hartford, Connecticut, to the late Erik Eigill Larsen and Margaret Hansen Larsen. He grew up in Avon, CT, and attended Avon Public Schools. He was a 1975 graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, and earned his M. Div. from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, in 1980. He was ordained to the diaconate in June, 1980, and to the priesthood in December, 1980. Erik served as Curate at the Church of the Holy Trinity (Middletown, CT), Rector of St. Andrew’s (Marble Dale, CT), Precentor of St. John’s Cathedral (Hong Kong), Rector of St. Alban’s (Simsbury, CT), Canon for Transition Ministries for the Diocese of Connecticut, Rector of St. Columba’s Chapel (Middletown, RI), and Priest Associate at Christ Church (Westerly, RI). He was also an associate of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and served on the boards of the Center for Career Development and Ministry, the Society for the Increase of Ministry, the Seamens’ Church Institute (Newport, RI), several committees for the dioceses of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and various other organizations. Erik was a dedicated pastor, priest and friend to many. In his spare time, he loved fishing on his boat with his friends, and spending summer afternoons on Pleasure Beach with many of his long-time neighbors.
Erik is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karin (Bengtson) Larsen, his sons, Benjamin Larsen (Hyungjin Choi) of Queens, NY, and Gregory Larsen of Beaufort, NC, and one grandchild, Phillip Jiho Larsen. He is also survived by his sisters, Elin Larsen and Wendy Larsen, and several extended family members.
A memorial service will be held on August 13 at 11 AM at St. James Church, 76 Federal Street, New London, CT. Internment will take place at the family’s convenience.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Episcopal Relief & Development, Steep Rock Association, or a charity of the donor’s choosing.