David J. Anderson

1951 - 2023

Anderson, David J.
LATHAM - David "Sparky" Anderson, 71 of Hunter's Run, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Community Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital with his family at his side.
He was born in Troy on December 29, 1951, the beloved son of the late J. Harold and Viola Zawistowski Anderson. Raised and educated in Watervliet, Sparky was a graduate of Sacred Heart of Mary School and Watervliet High School, class of 1970. He was a standout basketball player and captain for the Cannoneers, best known for his deep corner shot (even before the three-point shot existed). In addition to basketball, he was the goalie for the soccer team and earned the "Watervliet Athlete of the Year" honor his senior year. At Watervliet High, he also proudly served as "Mayor of the City of Watervliet" for student government day.
Dave graduated from Siena College with a degree in political science. He attended graduate school at Syracuse University before embarking on a successful career in government affairs that spanned more than 40 years. He held numerous positions in both Albany and Washington, D.C. lobbying for TRW, Inc., The Business Council of New York State, Key Corp. and mostly recently AstraZeneca, before retiring. He was also a longtime member of the Fort Orange Club in Albany.
Dave was an incredibly devoted father and shared a special bond with his two daughters, Rachel and Jill. He always seemed to know exactly the right thing to say and gave them the best advice. His legacy, however, will not be in his words, but rather in his actions and the example he set for his daughters. Integrity and character mattered most to Dave, and he exemplified those attributes in how he led his life - particularly during the illness and after the untimely passing of Rachel and Jill's mother and Dave's wife, Donna. Through it all, and until the end, Dave was the inner strength and backbone of the family.
Sparky was an avid sports fan of the N.Y. Yankees, University of North Carolina Basketball and was a season ticket holder of the Siena Saints Basketball team. But his favorite teams by far were his daughter's softball and field hockey teams, traveling across the country to watch them play and rarely missing a game. He especially enjoyed coaching his daughters' softball teams and spent countless hours as their backyard "batterymate." Because of his love, support, and dedication, both daughters were able to achieve their dream of playing their respective sports at the collegiate level.
Dave was also a dog lover and achieved his personal goal of owning the "trifecta" of Labrador Retrievers (black, yellow and chocolate) throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed vacationing on the beaches of Cape May and Rhode Island where he loved to bodysurf the waves. Later in life, he most enjoyed being "Grandpa" to his five grandchildren, having chardonnay happy hours with his sister, Dolores, and going for dog walks at the Crossings with his significant other, Cindy Nash.
He was the beloved husband of the late Donna A. Vadney Anderson who died in 2004; the best father of Rachel (Pierre) Alric of Altamont and Jill (David) Sperry of Menands; proud grandfather of Louie, Charlie and Vivienne Alric, Owen and Abby Sperry; dear brother of Dolores (late Jim) Mitchell, Barbara (late Robert) Stewart and the late James H. Anderson; and brother-in-law of Glenn (Michele) Vadney. He is also survived by several loving nieces, nephews and close friends.
Relatives and friends may call at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. His funeral Mass will be Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are strongly encouraged to the Watervliet Civic Center, P.O. Box 164, Watervliet, NY, 12189, a special place in Sparky's childhood and dear to his heart.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.