Eric "Rick" T. Reenstierna

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Eric Reenstierna of Newton and formerly of Arlington, MA passed away on February 5 after a two-decade battle with cancer. He is forever grateful to the doctors, nurses, and modern medicine that kept him in good health for so long.

Eric enjoyed things great and small – the surf at Narragansett Beach, Beef Wellington, onion rings, cognac, all the Boston teams, motorbikes on Bermuda and Block Island, good writing, rock ’n roll, family, and friends. Most of all, he loved his wife, Anne (Caroselli).

A graduate of the Belmont Hill School and Brown University, Eric married Anne while they were still in college. Together they embarked on a life-long journey filled with joy. They raised a daughter and son, Rhiannon and Andrew, and took great pleasure in seeing their six grandchildren grow: Andrew Jr., Grace, Lucas, Eric, and Keith Reenstierna and Charlotte Garner. A man of great integrity, intelligence, humor, and kindness, Eric enjoyed his many enduring friendships and was steadfastly supported by his friends throughout his illness.

Eric enjoyed experiencing as much of life as possible. At various times, he worked as a short order cook, a teacher, a lumber salesman, a photographer, a developer, and an expert witness. He wrote six novels. His long career was as a commercial real estate appraiser.

Committed to protecting the environment, Eric served as President of the land trust for Newton, MA and President of the Newton Conservators; he also served on the city’s Conservation Commission and its Community Preservation Committee. He was instrumental in saving a large tract of open space at Kesseler Woods and the city’s last working farm, now the Newton Community Farm. He also volunteered at the Pine Street Inn working with the homeless, the subject of one of his books.

Born on July 2, 1949, Eric was the youngest son of the late Helen (Davidson) Reenstierna and Torsten Reenstierna of Arlington, MA. Eric was pre-deceased by his brother Donald Reenstierna and his two sisters, Honey Luecke and Joan Whiting. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Eric is survived by nieces, nephews, godchildren, and countless friends whom he cherished. Eric enriched the lives of all who knew him and will be missed deeply.

A memorial service will be held on February 10 at 11:00am at the Newton Cemetery Chapel  at 791 Walnut Street, Newton, with a luncheon to follow at Branch Line Restaurant at 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown.

Donations honoring Eric may be made to Brown University, the Nature Conservancy, or a charity of your choice.