Richard "Dick" Anderson

Richard “Dick” Anderson, age 91, passed away peacefully on April 17, with his loving family by his side. Born on December 15th, 1933, in Garnerville New York to William and Ethel (Raymond) Anderson, he was a proud lifelong resident of North Rockland whose steady presence and no-nonsense demeanor was a comfort to all who knew and loved him.

A 1951 graduate of Haverstraw High School, Dick went on to serve his country honorably in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. Following his military service, he dedicated 32 years to the Telephone Company of New York—an ironic career choice for a man of so few words—retiring in 1989. 

On December 26th, 1954, Dick married Rita Tallman of Pearl River. Together, they shared 68 years of marriage. They loved traveling and spent many winters in North Port, Florida. After Rita’s passing in 2022, Dick kept a photo of her on their kitchen table, joining her each morning for coffee and breakfast. They were an inseparable pair, and his family is comforted in knowing they have been reunited. 

Dick was a lifelong Yankees fan and was as dedicated to watching them every day as he was cynical about their chances each year. He routinely impressed his grandchildren with his encyclopedic knowledge of Yankees history and never reacted with more than a chuckle or an “oh well” when tragedy befell them—setting an example of how to take life in stride. He loved the simple things in life and was content to just sit peacefully with a beverage in hand, a practice adopted by his children and grandchildren. He was incredibly sharp-witted, funny, and brutally honest. 

Dick is lovingly survived by his sons, Michael Anderson (JoAnne) and William Anderson; his grandchildren, Michael Anderson Jr. (Joelle), Morgan Anderson (Gabe), and Joshua Anderson (Ashley); and his great-grandchildren, Michael, Andrew, Alyssa, and Luke. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Anne Bartlomiejczyk, along with cherished nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Rita Anderson (Tallman) his parents William and Ethel, his brother Robert (Joan) Anderson, and  his brother-in-law and dear friend, Benny Bartlomiejczyk.

Dick’s family will be forever grateful for the many years they got to spend with him. He never required many words to convey a lot and so his family will simply say: he was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. 

A service and celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 from10am-12pm at T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home, Garnerville, NY. Services immediately following at T.J McGowan at 12:00pm, followed by burial to at St. Peter’s Cemetery Haverstraw NY. 

To send flowers, please call Bassett Flowers at (845) 634-3638.