(1930-2021)
John “Jack” Edward Anderson, 91, of Orillia, Ontario passed away peacefully at 4:20 am Saturday, 7 Aug 2021 at Leacock Care Centre. Funeral services will be private.
Mr. Anderson was born in Toronto on 18 April 1930, the son of Robert and Ladelle Anderson. On 5 Aug 1953 he married Muriel Florence Foster.
Mr. Anderson was known as a larger-than-life figure who cared deeply about his family and his community, and always did his utmost to get a laugh out of those around him. As one of its longest serving mayors, Mr. Anderson led the City of Pickering through a period of significant economic expansion in the 1980s, before retiring to his garden in Greenwood, Ont and later Bayshore Village in Brechin, Ont. There he continued to engage in the local community, helming the Rotary Club of Orillia Train Project for many years.
Mr. Anderson also served more than 40 years as an employee of the Canadian Pacific Railway, joining in the 1940s as a locomotive fireman in Smith Falls before retiring in 1986 as engineer. He was particularly proud to have been the lead engineer for the last locomotive steam engine No 2816, to run between Smith Falls and Toronto in 1956.
“Running a train was a great experience, the envy of just about every kid in the country,” he said in a 2003 interview. “You were in a very powerful position, your own boss in a way. The history of Canada was built on the railway -- we wouldn’t have Canada if it wasn’t for the rail.”
Mr. Anderson was elected as Councillor representing North Pickering in 1972, and served as Regional Councillor until 1976 before being acclaimed as Mayor in 1977. He served as mayor for the next 11 years, running undefeated in two subsequent elections, and retired in the seat in 1988.
Survivors include three sons: Ken Anderson of Keswick, Ont., David Anderson of Boca Raton, Fla., and Don Anderson of Singapore; sister Jane Anderson of Canmore, Alta.; five grandchildren, Natalie Lindell of Port Perry, Bradley Anderson of Whitby, Ont., Lyndsay Anderson of Surrey, B.C., and Jack and Michael Anderson of Singapore; and four great grandchildren.
Mr. Anderson was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert, with whom he shared a similar passion for the railway and barbecues.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County https://alzheimer.ca/simcoecounty/en/take-action/donate. Special thank you the staff at Leacock Care Centre for the loving care provided to Mr. Anderson.
Arrangements entrusted to Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Homes, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia (705) 326-3595.
Online Messages of Condolence are welcome at www.CarsonFuneralHomes.com.