Devoted husband of Theresa (Adario) Ewald; proud father of Eric J. Ewald and daughter-in-law Stephanie Lenzi of Andover, Liana Ewald and son-in-law Satish Eraly of Andover, and Alyssa Weber and son-in-law John Weber of Westford; adoring grandfather to Alex, Lily, Evie, Mia, Thomas, Daniel, and Benjamin.
Eric Walther Ewald was born in Philadelphia in 1940. He and his brother Dale were raised in Frenchtown, New Jersey by their mother Evelyn, a schoolteacher, principal, and one-term mayor of Frenchtown. Eric was bussed to a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade and later graduated from Frenchtown High School. At Colgate University, Eric majored in Political Science and practiced politics in miniature as president of his fraternity, Delta Chi.
After moving to the Boston area for work, Eric met Theresa on a blind date. Much of their courtship was by mail as Eric was serving as a Medic in Vietnam. Eric and Theresa lived in Winchester for thirty-three years while Eric worked in pharmaceutical sales. In Winchester, and later in a small cottage in New Hampshire, Eric turned his talent and love of woodworking to building various forms of entertainment for his children: dock, raft, slide, diving tower, zip-line swing, treehouse, and a replica dollhouse of the family home. A cherished memory is when Eric surprised the children with a Samoyed pup, Kasbec, who quickly became a member of the family.
In later years, Eric and Theresa lived in Lynnfield and then Methuen with Chica, their sweet dog. As a couple, they enjoyed the company of an ever-expanding circle of friends, which grew with each move to a new location. During their 55 years of marriage, they enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain, and Italy.
Eric was quiet, unassuming, kind, and gentle, with an intelligent, dry sense of humor. He was content to while away the hours woodcarving. He was a lover of popular spy novels and classical music, a fierce cribbage competitor, and a persistent, if not always successful, golfer. He cherished his nightly J&B “on the rocks,” frequently accompanied by cheese and crackers.
Eric was a role model for his children, and a silent cheerleader at his grandchildren’s gymnastic meets, soccer, football, and lacrosse games. Above all his life centered around Theresa and their children.
Thank you, Eric, Dad, Grandpa. You are much loved. You are always with us.
Relatives and friends may visit at the Funeral Home on Saturday, Sept. 10th from 1-3pm. Please do not send flowers. Those who wish to do so may donate to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611. At the request of the family, interment will be private.