Lance J. Anderson ’71

Lance John Anderson, 71, of Winslow, Maine, passed away on March 20, 2018, in Powell, Tenn., with his wife and children by his side. Lance was on vacation with his wife, when he succumbed to pneumonia due to respiratory ailments that had been challenging him for years.

Lance was born on Feb. 18, 1947, in Boston, Mass., the son of Alverne Stanley Anderson and Winifred (Beckett) Anderson. His family moved to Maine in 1952 eventually settling in East Vassalboro. Lance graduated from Waterville High School in 1967 and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1971. He worked in the Merchant Marines for over 30 years ultimately becoming a Chief Engineer. For several years he worked in paper mills in Berlin, N.H. and Lincoln and Rumford, Maine.

Lance had a great love for animals, duck and bird hunting, R.C. planes, photography, and music. He also enjoyed driving up North to camp and boating on China Lake. On weekend mornings, for many years, he could be found drinking coffee down at Freddie’s Garage in East Vassalboro. He had a life-long admiration for aviation that he inherited from his father who flew him as a young boy. Upon retirement, he achieved his dream of building an airplane and obtaining his pilots’ license – an accomplishment that brought him great pride when he was able to fly his wife and children over the great state of Maine. Lance was a member of Vassalboro Lodge No. 0054 AF & AM.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Diane; one daughter Lisa and her husband John Costanzo of Bolton, Mass., one son Eric Anderson and his wife Julia Page of Brooklyn, N.Y.; one sister Karen and her husband James Dunbar of Winslow; two grandsons Nicholas and Garrison Costanzo, one granddaughter Sadie Page; brothers-in-law Ronald Michaud and wife Geraldine of Waterville, Reginald Michaud and his wife Marilyn of Smithfield, and James Michaud and wife Cheryl of Westbrook; and many nieces and nephews.

Thank you for the assistance and compassion of the tremendous doctors in Maine over the years, the dedicated homecare support of Robin Kingsbury, and recently to the staff at Parkwest MCCCU, Select Specialty Hospital, and Tennova MCIU in Tennessee.

Family and friends are invited to Lance’s graveside service and celebration of life, Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Saint Frances de Sales Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville, at 11:30 a.m. All are invited to the reception immediately following at Centerpoint Community Church, 155 West River Rd., Waterville. In the event of rain, the service will be at Centerpoint Community Church.