Theodore Raymond Erkman

Theodore Raymond Erkman (Ted)  passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on August 3, 2022, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was born on January 24, 1940 in McKeesport, PA, the son of  Michael and Agnes (Reskovac) Erkman.  He attended McKeesport Area schools and went on to obtain a BA degree in Journalism from Duquesne University.  Ted enlisted in the Army National Guard and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.  After his service, he married his sweetheart, Kathleen (Narkiewicz) Erkman.  He then accepted a job at J.W. Thompson in New York City, where he worked as an Account Executive on the Phillips Petroleum  account. While in New York, Ted and Kathy were proud owners of a brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which they renovated.  Ted also served as president of the Park Slope Block Association, where he headed up the tree planting project.  If you visit the neighborhood streets of 154 Berkeley Place, you will be able to admire the 50+ year-old trees he planted which make Brooklyn beautiful today!

Upon their return to McKeesport in 1972, Ted worked at various advertising agencies, including Della Femina McNamee, where he served as a vice president and serviced the Bayer Corporation account.  After retirement, he served his church, St. Patrick’s, Mary Mother of God Parish, faithfully and well.  He was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, received a lifetime award from the Holy Name Society, and was active as a lector and altar server. 

Ted is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathleen, and by children: Jason Charles Erkman (Larissa), Taylorsville, North Carolina; Marshall James Erkman (Annemarie), Columbus, Ohio; Victoria Katherine Livingston (Don), of Bethel Park, PA; and Thaddeus Stefan Erkman, of Fargo, North Dakota.  He is also survived by grandchildren:  Caroline Quinn Erkman; John Theodore Erkman; Nathaniel Griffin Erkman; William Benjamin Erkman; Alexis Catharine Erkman; Paige Alana Bowermaster, and Brooke Elaine Bowermaster.  He is also survived by sister, Georgia Oleson (Vern), and sisters-in-law, Teresa Drandakis and Michelle Ritter (Charles). He was predeceased by sister-in-law Christine Narkiewicz McDonald. 

Friends will be received in the Daniel F. Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory, Versailles, on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 2 PM to 4 PM, with a 3 PM Rosary Service by the parish's Ladies of Charity, and from 6 PM to 8 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 12 Noon (if attending, please arrive at the funeral home by 11:00 AM) in Mary, Mother of God Parish, St. Patrick's Church.  Procession and burial will follow to Mount Vernon Cemetery, Elizabeth Township.  A special thanks to Bridges Hospice for their wonderful care. Contributions in honor of Ted may be made to Mary of Nazareth School, Bridges Hospice, Serra Catholic High School, or to a charity of your choice.  

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