Peter Thomas Andersen

Peter Thomas Andersen

Egg Harbor City - Peter Thomas Andersen passed away on October 16th at his home in Egg Harbor City, NJ at the age of 71. He was a long-term native of Manasquan, NJ, long-time member of the Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and a 1965 graduate of Manasquan High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball as a three-year letterman and starter in each sport. As the first string point guard in high school, Peter helped lead the team to a Central Jersey Championship in the 1963-64 season. A graduate of Tusculum College in Greenville, TN, he later earned his Master's degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and began a teaching career at Forest Hill Elementary School then Fallston High School, MD. Peter then returned to NJ and Manasquan High School. His love of athletics was personified in service as head coach of basketball at Fallston and Manasquan High where he also did double duty as coach of basketball and baseball. His enthusiasm and spirit for competition was unrestrained. His winning record at Manasquan exceeded 200 victories… a rare achievement in high school basketball.

He noted, "The opportunity Tusculum University gave me is the major reason for my success as a teacher and varsity basketball coach. I returned to my alma mater, Manasquan High School and was lucky to continue my passion as head basketball and baseball coach. Championships were not what it was all about. Relationships with my players, watching them succeed, and go on to college to this day remain my greatest memories."

Peter's father Walter Andersen was also an athletic coach and standout player. He passed away in 2017. When Pete was 28 years old his competitive nature was showcased when he attempted to break the world record for foul shooting. He shot for 24 straight hours with only a ten minute break hourly amassing a total of 8000 basket attempts and 6896 completions… a success percentage of over 86%! Peter is lovingly and fondly remembered by his family, players, students and fellow teachers for his caring nature, his kindness, sense of humor and his wonderful smile.

Predeceased by his father Walter T. Andersen, Peter is survived by his devoted mother Gretchen (Mueller) Andersen, loving daughter Heather (Blair) Hinkle, devoted son Ty Andersen, caring sisters Gretchen Andersen Lepree and Kathleen (Lewis) Campanella, proud grandfather of grandsons Wyatt and Luke Hinkle. Peter is also survived by nephews Ryan (Rhianon) Lepree, Phillip Campanella, niece Jena Campanella, great nieces Reagan and Reese Lepree.

Arrangements are under the care of Orender Family Home for Funerals, Manasquan. All services are private. To send a condolence to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.