Erling was born in Lunderskov, Denmark on the 2nd of September, 1932. He was the youngest of 6 children, all boys, born to Alexander and Elinor Aunsbjerg Nielsen who also adopted one boy from Finland for a total of 7 children. After finishing High School Erling served 4 years as Electrician Apprentice and 18 months conscription in the Danish Army before immigrating to Canada in 1956.
Erling was active in the Danish Canadian Society, Montreal, the Danish Club, Montreal and also St. Ansgar's Church in Montreal. He helped organize conferences in Montreal for the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada. From this Erling made friends with Danish Canadians across Canada.
In the passing of Erling Aunsbjerg Nielsen the Danish community in Montreal has lost a long-time member, and indeed many Danish Canadians across Canada have lost a friend. Erling's outgoing, jovial personality and wonderful sense of humour will he missed by everyone who got to know him.
I met Erling in 1948 when he and I attended the same technical school in Kolding. Denmark. where we both were Electrician apprentices. In 1952 we both started serving 18 months conscription in the Danish Army, Erling in the western pan of Denmark and I in Copenhagen, the eastern part, and connection was lost until Fall 1956 when we met again and this time it was in Victoria Hall, in Westmount. Quebec at a Dinner - Dance the Danish Canadian Society of Montreal held and we have been close friends since.
In the early years my wife and I shared with Erling and his wife Birgit many of the trials and tribulations and joys of being new immigrants to Canada, and later the more settled aspects of immigrant life. We could always count on Erling to be the life of a party and Erling possessed an almost magical talent in making contact with people.
There is one happening for which my wife and I are forever grateful to Erling: On August 5th, 1984 when driving home from Ontario at 4 in the morning from a 25 year Wedding Anniversary party. we had a car accident. In the accident my wife had lost consciousness and was bleeding from cuts to her face. I was injured to a degree where I couldn't move. Somehow I managed to roll down a window and waved my arm, for what seemed forever to attract the attention of passing cars. but none stopped to help. Without knowing who was waving, Erling stopped and called for an ambulance which arrived quickly, took us to hospital where we were given great care. Had Erling not stopped to help. the consequences of this accident could have been very grave. but thanks to timely medical care only minor permanent problems resulted from the accident.
About 3 years ago Erling was diagnosed with cancer of his left lung and endured a major operation removing the lung, only to he told about a year and a half later that cancer had developed in the right lung and he went through chemotherapy which only slowed the progress of the cancer. Erling died peacefully am March 31st, 2010.
Throughout his long battle with cancer Erling showed bravery and dignity and to the end maintained a sense of humour.
May Erling rest in Peace. Æret være Erlings minde.
(Taken from the 2010 HERITAGE BOOK of the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada (Pp 200-201), Svend Berg: editor.)