Raymond W. Anderson, age 91, the son of Loretta Toal Anderson and Walter Anderson was born in Erie, Pa. on May 27th, 1926. He was the oldest of three siblings including the late Dorothy (Anderson) Keitel and Eugene Anderson. He grew up in Astoria, Queens. One of his fond childhood memories was playing in the Fife Bugle Corps.
After high school graduation he enlisted in the Army and trained as a tail gunner in Biloxi, Miss. After serving his country in WWII he put himself through college using the G.I. Bill at Gannon College in Erie Pa. He studied education and went on to receive his M.S. degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
In 1950 he married and had three daughters, Susan Anderson Martin, Maria Anderson Dresel and Mary Judith Anderson Keichlin. Soon after Raymond reenlisted and served as a 2nd lieutenant in the Korean War. He trained as an M.P. and specialized in chemical warfare.
After the Korean War he began his career in education on Long Island. He taught grade school and was promoted quickly to assistant principal. Soon after he accepted the position as the first principal of Harding Ave Elementary School in Lindenhurst, Ny which opened in 1959. There he took the lead to design and staff the entire project. Raymond accepted all of the tasks from ordering desks, supplies and interviewing all of the teachers. His final touch and legacy was to install a beautiful fish tank in the lobby.
Raymond was reassigned as principal to many of the schools in the district which include Allegany Ave and Daniel St. He served as principal within the Lindenhurst school district until he retired.
In 1982 he married Melinda E. Anderson and has been married for 35yrs. Melinda has one daughter named Nicole Giorgetti.
Raymond had a very long and industrious life with many hobbies and interests. He was a conservationist at heart, always turning off lights and picking up litter. His many hobbies included being an avid Notre Dame fan, traveling, gardening, sailing, motorcycling and listening to jazz music. One of his fondest memories was participating in Operation Sail in NYC in 1976.
Raymond is survived by a beautiful and loving family that includes his wife Melinda E Anderson. His daughters Susan and John Martin, Maria and Jerry Dresel, Judy and Robert Keichlin, Nicole Giorgetti. His grandchildren Dr. Robert Martin and his wife Danielle, Juliann Martin, Katie Dresel (deceased), Emily (Dresel) and husband Matthew Augi, Jenna Dresel. His great grandchild Zachary Martin age 5 and one on the way. Raymond is also survived by many nieces and nephews that live between NY and Fl.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations should be made to the A-T Childrens Project at W. Hillsboro Blvd, suite 105, Coconut Creek, Fla 33073
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18