Eric Andrew Nilsson

Ocean Pines

Eric Andrew Nilsson, age 93, passed away at Atlantic General Hospital on Monday, June 6, 2022.

Born on Patriots Day, Sept. 11, 1928 in Jamaica, New York, he was the first son of Swedish immigrants Harry Nilsson and Svea Svensson.

He is survived by his wife, Hanne Nilsson; his children, Eric Scott Nilsson (Mary Lou), Scott M. Nilsson, Deborah Nilsson (Butch), Peter (Helene), and Lynn (Jimmy); and two sisters, Beverly Nilsson and Gail Bosch (Raymond).

He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Chad, Kate, Zach, Ricky, Daniel, Kyle, Nicole, Tyler, Kristin, Rebecca, Phil, Michelle, Danny, Brian, and Sean; and six great-grandchildren, Sophia, Lydia, Amaya, Arianna, Adriann and Aubrey.

Eric lived his life with a love of the Lord, his family, his country and his service.

In 1952, Eric was drafted into the Army and served in Korea during the war.

He also served at the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166 as the historian and bingo leader for five years, he was a lieutenant in the Color Guard for 16 years, and ran the veteran’s program for seven years, where he designed and distributed a flag and cross pin after the attacks on 9/11.

Eric also spearheaded the Wall of Valor project, where he designed window boxes that depicted each American war.

Eric worked for Rhinegold Brewery in New York, Long Island and Westchester County area.

He started as a call order-based person, calling bars and grills, restaurants, etc. Then he was promoted to a relief salesman, salesman and the last position as a chain sales manager working out of the Brooklyn Brewery until it closed in 1973.

Eric was able to obtain a job interview with Phillip Morris, Miller Brewing Company and was hired as a regional chain sales manager for the metro New York market.

After several years in this capacity, Eric was promoted and transferred to Miller Corporate Headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a national chain sales representative. He received several national top sales awards.

Eric was the only employee in national chain sales to receive top sales awards in two consecutive years.