John A. Erlman

John A. Erlman, 75, of Manchester died September 24, 2005 at Community Hospice House in Merrimack after a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Manchester on June 12, 1930, he was the son of Arthur and Margaret (Cullity) Erlman. He lived in Manchester for most of his life.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from St. Anselm College in Goffstown and a Master of Science degree in Hospital Administration from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.

In 1955 he began a career in hospital administration that spanned a quarter of a century. Beginning in the US Army at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and continuing into civilian life, he held positions at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MA, Degoesbriand Hospital, Burlington, VT, St. Vincent's Hospital, Bridgeport, CT, Sacred Heart Hospital, Manchester and St. Mary's Hospital, West Palm Beach, FL. He was instrumental in the creation of Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. He later worked for Miller Engineering and Bedford Design in Manchester.

Mr. Erlman was a lifelong community volunteer and teacher. He was an active member in many service and youth organizations including the Knights of Columbus where he attained the level of 4th Degree Knight, the United Way, the American Heart Association, Junior Achievement, Upreach Therapeutic Riding Program, Boy Scouts of America, Explorer Posts, Big Brother, Rotary and Palm Beach Junior College.

He taught business administration at New Hampshire College and business management to prisoners at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord for many years. He was an active member of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member of the Palm Beach Gardens (FL) Chamber of Commerce. Until recently, he was counseling members of Manchester's small business community through a shared management experience forum.

He was predeceased by a son, Michael J. Erlman in 1961.

IN HIS LIFE: He had a long-standing love affair with show business that was expressed through pantomime and singing with his beloved wife Pauline, and with the production of talent shows in the communities he lived in and the hospitals he worked. He believed firmly that the family is a person's source of strength and guidance. This strength fueled his lifelong passion for helping others, which guided all his personal and professional affairs.

The family includes his wife of 51 years, Pauline (Blais) Erlman of Manchester, NH; three sons, John P. Erlman of Goffstown, NH, Christopher Erlman of West Palm Beach, FL and James Erlman of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; three daughters, Christine Wenrich and her husband, William of Nashua, NH, Carol Phillips of Pembroke, NH and her fiancee, Robert Toper of Guilderland, NY, and Colleen Bakels of Port St. Lucie, FL; a sister and brother in law, Joan and William Danisewich of Manchester, NH; 13 grandchildren, Melissa Bailey and her husband Joseph and their children Victoria and Joseph, Jessica Singleton, Jade Erlman, Michael, Catherine and Sarah Wenrich, Cindy and David Phillips, Justin and Jamie Erlman, and Michelle, Timothy and Rebecca Bakels; several nieces, nephews and many friends and business associates. He was also predeceased by a brother, Arthur Erlman in 2000.

Calling hours were September 28, 2005 in Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street, Manchester, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated September 29, 2005 in St. Anthony Church, 172 Belmont St., Manchester, NH. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, 448 Donald St., Bedford, NH.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross, 1800 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03104, or to the Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054