Paul T. Anderson, 1925 ~ 2008

My Great Grandfather passed away on Saturday, November 1st. Here is a brief story of his life.

Paul T. Anderson, 85, of Celoron, formerly of Pt. Stockholm, died at 1:45 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 1, 2008) in WCA Hospital.

He was born March 4, 1925, in Jamestown, the son of Abert and Vila Hedund Anderson, and was a 1943 graduate of the former Celoron High School.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Gatling.

Prior to retiring in 1991, he had been the steward at the Jamestown Veterans Club. Following his retirement he had spent winters in Hollywood, Fla., where he was employed at Joe Robbie Stadium. In earlier years, he had been a member of the Jamestown Police Department, and had also worked at Jamestown Lounge Co.

He was a life member of John W. Tiffany Post 53, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was also a member of Henry Mosher Post 683 American Legion, Loyal Order of the Moose, James-town Lodge 1681 and the Celoron Senior Citizens.

Always a very patriotic person, he was proud of his Naval service, and was always sure to fly the American Flag. He was an avid New York Yankees fan, and attended the final game in Yankee Stadium this past September. A great teaser, and possessed with a wonderful sense of humor, he always had a nickname for each of his grandchildren. He enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren's sporting events, and loved all sports, fishing, and gardening. He maintained an on-going good natured tomato growing competition with two of his daughters-in-law.

Mr. Anderson is survived by his wife, Barbara H. Rensfeldt Anderson, whom he married Aug. 14, 1942, in Frewsburg; four sons: Timothy P. Anderson of Fluvanna, David B. Anderson of Celoron, Dennis L. Anderson of Corry, Pa., and Todd K. Anderson of Shel-don Hall; two daughters: Lynda L. Anderson of Celoron, and Paula B. Langworthy of Point Stockholm; twenty-three grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Sally Blair of Gainesville, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gregory W. Anderson in 1991; a daughter, Lisa M. Bargar in1998; a grand-daughter, Teri Lyn Dahlbeck in 2007; and by a brother, Richard O. Anderson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home. The Rev. Douglas Kibbe of Bemus Point United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Fluvanna Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 8 P.M. Tuesday and for one hour prior to the funeral service Wednesday in the funeral home. Messages to the family may be sent by visiting the Web site www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made of a charity of one's choice.