Burt N. "Bud" Erich, 87, husband of the late Lois Johnson Erich passed away Tues., April 25, 2006 in Venice, FL after a brief illness. Mr. Erich was born in New Haven, Jan. 19, 1919 a son of the late Herbert and Gladys Tolles Erich and resided in Woodbridge from 1957 until moving to Englewood, FL in 1983. He graduated from the Hopkins School in 1938 and later was a teacher and athletic director at Hopkins for many years until his retirement in 1983. He was a cross harbor swim champion for 5 consecutive years in the 1930's and continued swimming with the Senior Masters Swim Program. Mr. Erich graduated from Springfield College, Class of 1942. During WW II he served in the US Coast Guard as a Chief Boatswains Mate Specialist and was an assistant to former heavy weight boxing champ Cmdr. Jack Dempsey. He ran the Erich Boy's Day Camp in East Haven for 16 summers, was a member of the First Church of Christ of Woodbridge, and he was a recipient of the New Haven Boys Club "Gold Ring". He is survived by 2 daughters, Pamela Johnson and Suzanne McMullan both of Englewood, Fl., a son, Randy Erich of East Haven, a sister, June Brown of Wallingford, 7 grandchildren and 6 great- grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Fern Thynell. Funeral service Friday, April 28, at 12 Noon at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN. Friends may call Friday from 11-12. Interment in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Pinebrook Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 1240 Pinebrook Rd., Venice, FL 34292.