Longboat Key Obituaries Feb. 4

Phyllis Dworkin

Phyllis Dworkin

Phyllis Dworkin, 95, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Jan. 28.

She grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Goucher College in 1941 and married Albert in 1942. After initially living in Manhattan, N.Y., they settled and raised their family in Roslyn, N.Y.

In 1986, they moved to Longboat Key, where they spend many of their happiest years. Mrs. Dworkin was an active volunteer in her community and a lifelong Democrat.

She is survived by her husband, Albert, 99; son, Peter, of San Francisco, five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

Richard Erickson

Richard Erickson, 83, of Longboat Key, died Jan. 25.

Born June 7, 1932, in Winthrop, Minn, Mr. Erickson attended “country school” and graduated from the local high school in 1951. As a youth, the Erickson siblings were expected to help with chores on the family farm, a time during which he developed his lifelong enthusiasm for hunting and fishing.

After serving in the U.S. Army as a supply sergeant in Puget Sound, Wash., he joined his brother Clif’s territory in Michigan in 1955 and went to work as a school photographer for National School Studios, a precursor to Lifetouch. He also enrolled in Michigan State University, where he met his wife and love of his life, Nancy.

His solid work ethic earned him his own territory in 1960, which eventually became one of the most profitable in the company at the time. In 1972, he was invited to join the Lifetouch corporate management team in Minneapolis. Mr. Erickson spent his entire career at Lifetouch, one that spanned six decades, encompassing all facets of management. He integrated the company’s first acquisitions and gave unwavering support to the development of an innovative camera system that in 2011 was inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. He was a major force in Lifetouch becoming an employee-owned company, and he served as president and CEO and later as chairman of the board of directors.

Though he retired as board chairman in 2002, Mr. Erickson remained an active board presence within Lifetouch until recently. He completed the executive education program at the University of Minnesota, now the Carlson School of Management. He was recognized by Photo Marketing Association International for his contributions to the industry and was a member of the Minnesota Business Partnership and a past president of the Professional School Photographers Association.

Richard and Nancy Erickson spent their summers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They established the Erickson Center for the Arts in Mrs. Erickson's’s childhood hometown of Curtis, Mich., to serve as an epicenter for the artistic, educational and cultural pursuit of community members.

Mr. Erickson was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; brothers, Clif and Douglas Erickson; and sister, Meridee Erickson McCray. He is survived by his daughter, Marcy Justice; son, Stuart Erickson; four grandchildren; brothers, Roger and Curt Erickson; brother-in-law Fred Gowan; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Richard Erickson will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 3, at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Road, Edina, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and condolences can be made to the Erickson Center for the Arts, P.O. Box 255, Curtis, MI 49820.

Fanny Grossman

Fanny Grossman died Jan. 17.

Mrs. Grossman was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Grossman, and her son, Gerald Grossman.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Alan Schottenstein, of Longboat Key; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Barbara Grossman; daughter-in-law Judith Grossman Lazarus; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service took place in Montreal.

Editor's note: The Jan. 28 issue of the Longboat Observer incorrectly listed Mrs. Grossman by the name of her surviving daughter, Lois Schottenstein.

Timothy Hennigan

Timoty Hennigan, 71, of Longboat Key and Hanover, Mass., died Jan. 12.

Born Jan. 18, 1945, in Boston, upon graduating from Saint John’s Preparatory School of Worcester, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Eager for action, however, he joined the Navy for active service in 1964 and spent much time away at sea.

In 1968, he resigned from active service and remained in the Navy Reserves for several years. In 1969, he joined his father’s fledging water treatment and consulting engineering business. He took over the reigns as president in 1972. During the course of 48 years, he forged Hennigan Engineering Co. Inc. into the premier, multidisciplinary national service provider it is today. His entrepreneurial spirit never quit, and he founded successful sister companies, Heat Exchanger Products and HydroDynamics. All three companies continue to flourish in the control of family members and devoted employees.

Mr. Hennigan loved the ocean and spent quality time boating and fishing, until he discovered Harley-Davidson, which put him on two wheels and led him on many biking adventures with family and friends.

Mr. Hennigan is survived by his wife, Claudia; children Tim, Theresa and Jennifer; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and siblings Peg Bloom, Donna Bell, Chris Seery and Brian Hennigan.

A private ceremony was held Jan. 18. A celebration of his life will be held in May in Massachusetts.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Dana-Farber Community Cancer Center of Weymouth.