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Erick Jacobson, 1907 - 2001
The Club lost one of its "Top of the Hill Gang" last November, at age 94. Erick joined in 1966, bringing his Pearson Triton to the club. In 1969 he upgraded to a Wanderer, named Car-Lin after his two children, Carl and Linda. Erick will be sorely missed. "He was a true gentleman," recalled many members. And, "He could fix anything, and did." An electrician, his expertise ranged widely, from house framing to fiberglass vacuum-bag construction. From electric drills to wrenches, carburetors to diesel engines and more, Erick repaired & returned many an item which others considered impossible to fix. "He was the club's first recycler," said Walter Flory. "He liked the challenge," remembered Bill Pistorino, his lifelong friend and frequent crew on Car-Lin and her predecessors.
Erick grew up in South Boston when its boatyards fronted Dorchester Bay and boats were moved by horse-drawn rigs. In his twenties he had a neon sign business, and made model boats as a hobby. Johnnie Malmgren, Erick's brother-in-law, and father of current member David, got Erick started in a South Boston club called the "Mosquito Fleet." Erick's 28' cutter Minerva was lost in the Hurricane of '38. He salvaged the engine and put it in a converted lifeboat which kept Erick on the water for quite a few years. He was a cruiser, rarely a racer, partial to day-sails and weekend family trips to Marblehead. In season, rarely a day passed, after retirement, without Erick spending time on his boat. As a sailor he was conservative but fearless, sailing solo even in recent years, and was known to bury the lee rail in a good breeze. He built a 14' sailboat and several tenders, including an impressive lapstrake design. For years, Erick was responsible for the back floats. He had a reputation for getting things done, for leading by example, at the club and as a foreman and member of Electricians Local #103. Bob Keane recalls helping Fred Hersey and Erick work on the railway used to launch boats, with Erick prodding the others, "Crank it in, crank it in." "He'd say, 'Never give up'," remembered Bill Pistorino, " 'Drop back and punt, but never give up.' "
