ANDERSON, Vernon

Anderson, Vernon “Andy”

1929 – 2018

It is with great sadness and very heavy hearts that we announce Vernon Kenneth Anderson (Andy) passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at St. Michael’s Palliative Care on Monday, July 23, 2018 at the age of 89 after a very brave battle with cancer. He is survived by his sons: Christopher Anderson (Toupey) and James Anderson (Roxy); granddaughter: Jamie Anderson-Reid; nieces: Lorena Hillgardner (Rick) and Alberta Willison (Darryl); and Kyle Cole. Andy was born in Lethbridge on April 20, 1929 to Svea and Elmer Anderson. In 1944 Andy joined the Clyde Beatty Circus and worked with them until the fall of that year. He went farming with Stooking Farms until the winter and then was off to Winnipeg where he worked on a few various farms. Andy then moved to Claresholm. In the spring of 1945 he took on a construction job and travelled to British Columbia where he worked for a logging camp. While working at the logging camp, he was picked up off the street and was sent to fight fires. Andy travelled to the Great Lakes and sailed on a tanker ship as a deck hand before going home for Christmas. In 1946, Andy then sailed for the Gordon Brothers as a deck hand; on another ship for Canadian Pacific Rail; and then went to Union Steamship. Due to a freeze up on the steamships in the Christmas of 1949, he joined the Air Force. He was then shipped to Ontario, England, and France and given the rank as a ME Op. He travelled to England, France, Ottawa, Churchill and then back to Winnipeg, Camp Borden, Toronto, then to Barrington, Nova Scotia and Cold Lake, Alberta with his family. Andy retired from the Air Force in 1977 and moved to Ft. Chipewan from 1980 to 1983. He then moved to Whitehorse until 1991 where he worked until his retirement in 1992, as a diesel electric operator for ATCO. Thereafter, Andy spent 13 years in Claresholm and 10 years in Rocky Mountain House. He then moved to Lethbridge where in spent his last 7 years making everyone laugh around him. Even in his sickness he made the nurses and doctors have smiles on their faces. While in the armed forces in 1953 he met the love of his life, Patricia, and they were married in September of 1953. They were married for 57 years until her passing in 2011. Andy and Patricia had three amazing sons together: Jim, Bill and Chris. Andy travelled the world and loved life to its fullest. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always very thoughtful and kind. He had a great sense of humour even in his last days. Andy was predeceased by his mother, Svea Anderson; father, Elmer Anderson; his beloved wife, Patricia Anderson; his beloved son, Bill Anderson; and his sister, Lois Smith. The family would like to express their most utmost appreciation for the love and care Andy was given at St. Michael’s Palliative Care. They will forever be grateful for that. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapel, Lethbridge, Alberta.

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