Obituary of Burton M. Anderson

Captain Burton M. Anderson U.S.N.R. (Ret), of 2790 Bittersweet Drive, Jamestown, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing at the age of 98. He was born January 10, 1915 in Jamestown, the son of the late David G. and Lillian M. Greenwood Anderson. He was married March 4, 1939 to Elinor Ahlquist, who passed away November 17, 2002. Surviving are three children: Barbara (Michael) Lyons of Bemus Point, NY, Nancy (Austin) Belschner of Saugatuck, MI and David (Marie) Anderson of Jamestown, NY; ten grandchildren: Emily Lyons, Aaron (Jennifer) Lyons, Francesca (Doug) Morgan, Kristen Belschner, Garrett Belschner, Abigail Anderson, Joseph (Jymie) Anderson, Joshua Anderson, Michael (Talie) Janus and Jennifer (Ken) Lockridge; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Sydney (Beth Kalor) Anderson of Inverness, FL; and two sisters, Delores Sullivan Anderson of Jamestown and Donna Smith of Deptford, NJ. He also leaves behind his dear friend and companion, Karin Hansen. In addition to his late wife, Elinor, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Joan Janus. Captain Anderson attended Jamestown Public Schools and graduated from JHS in 1935, where he was active in the Pretenders Society and took part in Junior and Senior class plays. He was a member of the Varsity Debate Team, the Honor Society and Pi Phi fraternity. He attended the University of Cincinnati where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, the Army ROTC and belonged to the elite Drill Team called "The Pershing Rifles". His military career began while in High School when he joined and served 2 years in the New York State National Guard, Co. E 174th Infantry based in Jamestown. Commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in December 1942, he trained at Corpus Christi, TX and served as a Flight Instructor at Bunker Hill, Indiana. He next served as a Ferry Pilot at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY until receiving orders to the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. He was stationed on Kwajalein Atoll as a test pilot with a Carrier Air Service Unit until the end of World War II. After release from active duty, he joined the Naval Reserve Unit at the Naval Air Station, Niagara Falls, NY. Subsequently recalled to active duty in September 1950, he completed Night Fighter Training at Key West, FL and was assigned to Attack Squadron VA 857 as a qualified carrier pilot. He was assigned to the staff of Commander Air Group Eight aboard the USS Tarawa. After conducting flight operations in the Mediterranean until June 1952, the Air Group returned to the U.S. and Captain Anderson was released from active duty on September 1, 1952. He then rejoined the Naval Air Reserve unit at Niagara Falls where he served in various assignments until his selection as Commanding Officer of Squadron VP FASRON 847. After the closing of the Naval Air Station, Captain Anderson was an instructor at the Naval Reserve Officer's School in Buffalo, NY until his selection as Commanding Officer at the Naval Reserve Surface Unit #3-68, Jamestown, NY. He completed his naval career as a Captain, drilling at the US Naval Air Station, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY. During his aviation career, he held a commercial pilot rating, a flight instructor rating and was qualified as an instrument and carrier pilot. He was qualified in over 30 different types of planes. Service Ribbons received include the WWII Victory Medal, Naval Reserve Medal, Korean War Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Theater and Mediterranean Theater Medals. In his business career, he was a partner with his brother, Sydney in the operation of Anderson Cleaners. Active in many local organizations, he was a member of the Optimist Club, serving two terms as President; the Board of Directors of the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club, serving two terms as President; the Board of Jamestown Public Schools; the YMCA Board; and the Prendergast Library Board. He was a member of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities where he was Chairman on the Finance Committee. Captain Anderson was also Chairman of the Community Chest Drive the first year that it was combined with the Red Cross (now known as The United Way Fund). He was a lifelong member of Christ First United Methodist Church and was a member of the building committee during construction of the church on the corner of Lakeview Ave. and Buffalo St. He was an avid golfer and longtime member of Moon Brook Country Club, serving on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Sportsmen's Club, the Lakewood Rod& Gun Club and the Ira Lou Spring Post 149 American Legion. In addition to his golfing and aviation interests, he was an accomplished skier and an early member of Holiday Valley With his lifelong interest in aviation, he was Chairman of the Jamestown Airport Commission during the period the airport changed ownership to become the Chautauqua County Airport and was active during the construction of the current Airport Terminal. After selling Anderson Cleaners and retiring in 1976, he spent winters in Florida over the next twenty years. He first resided in the Admiralty Club of Port Orange where he was active on the Board of Directors, serving two terms as President. The Andersons then moved to the Pelican Bay development in Daytona where he was active as a member of the Homeowners Board. He served as Chairman of Golf Club members who negotiated the purchase of Golf Club facilities from a local bank, and served as the first President of the member owned Pelican Bay Country Club. In 1995, he returned to the Jamestown area. Captain Anderson will be remembered for his dedication to public service and love of country. His family and friends will never forget his superb memory, amazing joke telling abilities and entertaining monologs. The funeral will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 30th at Christ First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Natalie Hanson will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The family deeply appreciates the care and love given by Hospice. They suggest memorials be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.