JOHN "BOB" ANDERSON

1926 - 2017

ANDERSON, John "Bob" John Robert "Bob" Anderson passed away peacefully in hospice care on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day in Naples, FL, just weeks shy of his 91st birthday. He leaves his wife of 67 years Ellen (Bagley) Anderson, his daughter Kristine and her husband Richard Doherty of Milton, daughter Karen and her late husband Arthur Jones of West Roxbury, grandsons, Andrew and Matthew Doherty and granddaughter Nora Doherty all of South Boston. Son of Mary (Flynn) and Oscar Bernard Anderson and brother of Donald P. Anderson, Bob was born and raised in Dorchester where he excelled as an athlete in virtually all sports, playing quarterback for the Dorchester Falcons and catcher for the Falcons baseball club. In his youth, "Swede" Anderson was a fixture at Hemenway Park. In 1944, at age seventeen, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy. Shortly after hearing he was on his way, the Japanese surrendered! Upon returning to Boston from his time in the service, Bob launched an impressive 44 year career working for New England Telephone and its successor entities. During that tenure, he worked hard to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University at age 41. Bob and his family settled in Canton, MA in 1954 where he soon became a widely respected civic leader and an engaged Little League coach. He served as a thoughtful member on the Town Warrant and Finance Committees during the particularly difficult years of implementing Proposition 2 ½. For nearly three decades, he spent Fall Saturdays racing up and down gridirons refereeing high school football games. On Sundays he worked games for the Mass. Dept. of Corrections, giving local prison inmates an opportunity to vent some steam and get in shape. His knowledge of the game, and his commitment to get the calls right, was recognized by his colleagues. He was regularly selected to referee high school Super Bowl games and, in 1980 he was awarded the "Oscar" of football officiating, the Murray Lewis Award for his excellence and contributions to the game. In 1992, Bob and his beloved Ellen joined a growing flock of Boston snowbirds and retired to Naples, FL where they enjoyed twenty-five years of golf, bridge, pool parties and wonderful friendships. They maintained an in-law apartment with Kris's family and Bob enjoyed a second career as top spectator at his grandchildren's baseball, hockey and soccer games. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass on April 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Saint Agatha's Church, 432 Adams Street, Milton, MA. There will be no visiting hours and interment will be private. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Corey C. Griffin Charitable Foundation, 205 Newbury Street, Suite 410, Framingham, MA 01701. The Foundation was established in memory of the grandson of close friends of Bob's from his youth. Visiting Hours: none

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