Edmund Anderson

Edmund Anderson. A wake to honor the life of Edmund Anderson, age 80, of Hoffman Estates, will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, 330 W. Golf Rd., Schaumburg. Funeral prayers will be said at 9:15 a.m. Friday to St. Matthew Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, for Mass at 10 a.m. Interment St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery. Born Feb. 2, 1925 in Pembroke, MA, he died May 30, 2005 in Elk Grove Village, IL. He was the beloved husband of 50 years of the late Claire, whom he married on June 17, 1950. He is survived by son, Bruce Anderson of Lincoln, NE; daughter, Eileen (Dale) Gardner of Roselle, IL; brother, Roger (Viola) Anderson of Daytona Beach, FL; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Ed and Claire were active square dancers for 25 years, belonging to Just 4 Kicks, Busy Bees, Happy Hashers and Checkmates. Also superb ballroom dancers, Ed and Claire were members of various Chicagoland Round Dance Clubs for many years. Ed was a lifelong employee of AM International, working for the company for 40 years, first in Worchester, MA, then Lincoln, NE and finally in Rolling Meadows, IL. His dedication and hard work made him a valuable employee whose advice was sought even after his 1991 retirement. Outside of work, Ed enjoyed a vast number of hobbies. He parlayed his love of golf into a job as a ranger and starter at Chalet Hills Golf Course in Crystal Lake during his retirement years. An amateur gourmet cook, accomplished golfer and an outgoing conversationalist, Big Ed left a friendship network that stretched from coast to coast and a dozen points in between. ''He was the kind of man who could walk into a room and be on a first name basis with everyone within twenty minutes'' said his daughter, Eileen. Ed combined his hobbies in frequent trips to explore England, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Greece, Sweden, Austria and China, enjoying the exotic meals, beautiful scenery and unforgettable people of each country. Ed's impish sense of humor, his generous good nature and his savoring of the simple pleasures of each day brightened the lives of the friends and relatives who knew him. Although we will miss Ed, the memories of the laughter and the many good times we have shared will comfort us in his absence. Tee it up, Ed!! In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Save-A-Pet, Inc., P.O. Box 700, Grayslake, IL 60030. Funeral info, 847-882-5580.