Josef Erschen, a Sault Ste. Marie man who ran taped phone messages opposed to Jehovah’s Witnesses, died last Saturday.

He was 93.

Erschen was excommunicated from the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1972 for allegedly opposing the Christian denomination. He started to run taped phone messages from his Talon Drive home in 1984.

The messages ran five to 15 minutes featured other former Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming the faith’s predictions about the events leading to Jesus Christ’s rule on Earth didn’t come true and the religion isn’t what it claimed to be – the sole possessor of God’s truth.

Erschen changed his tapes weekly. He hoped the messages would help other former members of the faith learn they aren’t alone and encourage greater public awareness about the faith.

“I’m positive, according to the messages I get back, it’s worked,” Erschen told The Sault Star in 1985.

He was born a Catholic but joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 1960s. Erschen came to the Sault in 1959. He worked at CJIC and Soo Family Photo before starting his own business, Joseph’s Painting and Decorating.

A private family memorial service will take place.