Joseph B. Anderson

Live video feed will start at 3 PM on Sunday February 9th, 2014 JOSEPH BERNARD ANDERSON JR. 89, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2014 in Viera, FL Born in Buffalo New York on June 19 1924, He was the son of Joseph Anderson Sr. and Elizabeth Luke Anderson. "Joe" was raised in York, P A where he resided for most of his life. He had two step sisters, Elizabeth Haws Fullerton, and Mary Helen Haws Smith, both deceased. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of York, A founder of the York Jaycees, a Senior Active Rotarian, and a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion as well as the Susquehanna Yacht Club, and the Marathon, FL. Yacht Club. Joe attended York City Schools through the junior year at William Penn Sr. High, when a wartime family move to Wynnewood, PA, sent him to Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa. where he graduated in the spring of 1942 with a letter in both football and Debating. He found a job in the machine shop at the Autocar Co in Ardmore, but the job was short lived because in June 1942 he received a Pennsylvania State Senatorial scholarship to the Univ. of Penna., (Penn) in Philadelphia, effective immediately. At Penn, Joe enrolled In the Wharton School, joined the Crew,(rowing),joined the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, served two terms as Chairman of the Board of the Student Union, joined the Inter Fraternity Council, the sailing team, and the Naval ROTC as extracurricular activities. July 1st, 1943 The U. of P. granted him leave of absence and on the same date, all NROTC students were entered into active service and stationed at the Penn School of Naval Science for additional studies commensurate with the University Program leading to a Naval Commission. Anderson was commissioned an Ensign USNR in Feb. 1945 and sent immediately to the Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet to join the Okinawa campaign. He was assigned to be Executive officer, then Officer in Charge of Landing Craft Tank #1380, a 140ft amphibious vessel with a crew of 14. This experience may be viewed at: http://LCTl380.tripod.com At the end ofWW2, after a short period of Japanese Occupation duty, Joe returned to the United States, was released from active duty, and remained in the Naval Reserve. He returned to Penn, resumed activity with the Student Union, and was made a member of the Friars Honorary Society. In the spring of 1947 he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. On that occasion it was noted that the awarding of degrees was officiated by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Upon returning to York, Joe went to work in the family business, The Anderson Hardware Co. On May 28, 1949 he married Edith M. Leithiser (deceased) and they had 4 children: Martha Bustillos, Dana Point, CA. Elizabeth Reed Anderson, Oakland, CA, Judith Lawrence Anderson, Yachat Oregon, and Robert Bryant Anderson, Moscow, Idaho; three grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. On Feb 25, 1978, he married his surviving wife, Evelyn Marie Kehr, nee Zarfoss. There are two stepchildren; Cheryl Lynn Henry, and Dawn Alaine .Demaine, also two grand children and two great grandchildren, all residing in Dallastown, Pa. In 1968 he joined the Campbell Chain Co. in York Pa. as National Accounts Sales Manager and later, Director of Marketing for Consumer Products. Among the activities he enjoyed was an invitation to the White House Correspondents dinner in honor of the President Ronald Reagan. He was also awarded a membership in the Sears Second Century Club, and two "OMA" statuettes, from the Point of Purchase Institute, for outstanding National Merchandising. He was a member of the Metropolitan Club in Chicago. Joe's hobby was sailing, starting when he was 1 0 years old, on the Chesapeake. So, when he retired it was to go aboard his boat, Seagoat, and sail to Key West. He bought a home in Islamorada, FL, and began to serve as the President of the Port Antigua Townhouse Assoc. He joined the Marathon, FL. Yacht Club and in 2001 was elected Commodore and moved to Marathon, FL. His term of office coincided with the 50th year of the Club, so he organized a 50 boat Anniversary Raft-up that was the largest ever in the Keys. He was a Fleet Captain of Florida Council of Yacht Clubs and a member of the International Order of The Blue Gavel, an organization of past Commodores. In addition to numerous sail races, he made 21 passages of the Intra- coastal waterway, five through the Bahamas, and one to Cuba. He was also a licensed pilot and radio operator and following his 80th birthday in 2004, he flew a Navy SNJ4, front seat, around the keys as a, farewell to flying .In 2005 he moved to Melbourne/ Viera, Florida to be nearer to the desired medical and surgical attention that followed the news that he had lung cancer. The surgery was successful and Joe and Evelyn moved into the Indian River Colony Club, a community of retired service officers. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00PM, Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Beckman Williamson Funeral Home, 5400 Village Drive, Viera, Fl. Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions in Joe's memory may be made to the Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice House, 661 Eyster Boulevard, Rockledge, Fl 32955. Receiving of Friends FEB 9. 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM Beckman Williamson Funeral Home & Crematory 5400 Village Drive Viera, FL, US, 32940 Memorial Service FEB 9. 03:00 PM Beckman Williamson Funeral Home & Crematory 5400 Village Drive Viera, FL, US, 32940