Capt. Charles E. Anderson ’61

ROCKPORT — Capt. Charles E. “Toddy” Anderson, the husband of Dianne (DelDotto) Anderson, peacefully embarked upon his final voyage on Friday, April 30, 2010 after succumbing to complications from a bacterial infection.

Born on Sept. 2,1940 to the late Carl F. and Ruth E. Anderson of Rockport, he attended Rockport Schools and graduated with the Rockport High School, Class of 1958. He then went on to Maine Maritime Academy where, in 1961, he received an officer’s commission in the United States Navy as well as a Third Mate’s license in the Merchant Marine. In 1968, at the age of 28, he attained his Coast Guard Master Mariner License, “any gross tonnage, upon oceans,” a license he held at the time of his death. Over the course of his 40-year career, he sailed the world’s oceans and seas on passenger ships, freighters, container ships and LNG tankers, retiring as Master of the LNG Gemini in 2000.

The sea figured prominently in Toddy’s life. As a young boy, he could usually be found along the wharves and docks of Rockport, tending to his small skiff and a few lobster pots. Lobstering became a life-long passion which led Charles to build “SNOW SQUALL,” his well-loved lobster boat, in his retirement. He fished lobsters commercially for the last nine years.

On dry land, Charles enjoyed growing vegetables and had special interest in his collection of dwarf apple and citrus trees. As a ham radio operator he kept in touch with friends all over the world, WI1U over and out.

A contrarian by nature, Charles was a man of contrasts: he was as comfortable at a five-star restaurant as he was at any of the waterfront “watering holes” he was known to frequent. Charles was equally fond of both classical music and 1950s “doo -wop” tunes. He was in possession of a keen intellect, augmented by common sense and a “roll-up-the-sleeves-and-get-it-done” work ethic. He was generous with his time and resources and was considered a loyal friend by many. He would want it said of him that he had done the very best he could with his life.

Charles belonged to the Boston Marine Society and the Council of Master Mariners. He was a member and past president of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Club and an accredited volunteer examiner for the American Radio Relay League. Charles enjoyed memberships in the Elks, the Loyal Order of the Moose, the Gloucester Fraternity Club, the Veterans of Foreign War, Vittori Rocci Post 5, the D.E.S. Club and Pratty’s Cape Ann Vets. At the time of his illness he was Post Commander of the Doucette-Lingard VFW Post 1624 and a member of the United Veterans Council.

Charles is survived by his wife, Dianne, with whom he shared 34 years of marriage; his sister, Ellen, wife of Richard Bianchini of Gloucester; his nephew, Scott Bianchini, husband of Vicki of Wakefield, and several cousins. He is also survived by his adoring Maine Coon cats, “Rosie” and “Ralphie,” and by his devoted Springer spaniel, “Suzy-Q.”