At 100, Painting is His Passion

Ask Eric Widstrom, who turns 100 today, the secret to his long life, and he might tell you it has something to do with spending so many years with a paintbrush in his hand.

Be careful. Widstrom, who for decades made his living as a house painter, could be having some fun at your expense. His humor is legendary among his family and friends.

But it is the painting he does with acrylics on canvass that has given him his greatest satisfaction in life.

“He usually says it is God’s grace,” said his daughter, Yvonne Anderson, the second of Widstrom’s three children. “I really think it is his sense of humor and positive attitude.”

Born in Sweden

A former resident of Gales Ferry for 40 years and now a resident of Groton, Widstrom was born on his parent’s farm in Byrsta, Sweden, the fifth of eight children. As a child he was often sick – he later learned he was lactose intolerant – and his father once told him he would never amount to anything.

When he was 14, Widstrom dedicated his life to Jesus Christ. His conversion did not please his father, and he was sent away with a man who was seeking an apprentice to work in the family greenhouse business.

Widstrom’s new home turned out to be with a Christian family, and he thrived there. He studied music, and also painting at the Art Institute in Orebro, Sweden. He grew strong and healthy, and in his early twenties, he and his first wife, Svea, were married and built their first home. Widstrom was the first of his siblings to do so.

Then, at 25, Widstrom became violently ill with appendicitis. En route to the hospital, his appendix ruptured and peritonitis set in. After surgery, his temperature dropped and he was placed in a room for the dying.

In that room he remembers having a vision in which a man dressed in black pulled up in a horse-drawn carriage. The man walked up and looked straight at him. “It’s not time yet,” he said, and left.

Word of Widstrom’s illness had reached his father, who went to a local minister. “If there is a God,” he told the minister, “you’d better pray that Eric lives.”

After Widstrom’s recovery, his father followed his example and became a Christian.

Coming to America

In 1953, the Widstroms and their two daughters, Marita and Yvonne, emigrated to the United States. Widstrom was 41, and spoke not a word of English. After settling in New London, the couple had a third child, Dennis.

While working as a painting contractor, Widstrom attended night school, learning to speak English. He became an American citizen in 1958, and a few years later the family moved to Gales Ferry.

Widstrom said he has returned to Sweden numerous times. But wherever life has taken him, his paints, brushes and easel have never been far from his grasp. He has never really made money as an artist – his other painting paid the bills – but his art has always been his passion.

“Our houses are filled with his paintings,” said Anderson, who was visiting her father this past week at Windham Falls Estates in Groton, where Widstrom has lived since 2007.

His apartment is small and efficient. There is a comfortable chair and a bed. A Bible rests on a bedside table, and framed paintings hang on every wall. On a table in the middle of the room there is a paint box and an easel that holds a work in progress.

On Saturday, Jan. 28, Widstrom’s many friends and family members – including four cousins from Sweden – will honor him with a party to celebrate his 100 years.

Widstrom looks 20 years younger than his age. He does not wear glasses and his hair has yet to gray. But it is his wit and playful personality that have made him so popular at Windham Falls.

Asked if the kitchen staff ever prepares food from his homeland, he smiled and shared a story of Swedish meatballs made just for him by the chef, who is not from Sweden.

“He wanted to know if they were good, and I said to him they are as Swedish as you are.” He qualified his statement by adding, “it is very hard to get the flavor just right if you’re not from Sweden.”

“He’s coming to my house this weekend,” said Anderson, who is from Sweden. “He’ll get his meatballs.”