Obituary of Paul G. Anderson

Paul Gunnar Anderson, 92, of the Lutheran Retirement Home, formerly of 2923 Route 394 Ashville, passed away Saturday April 2, 2011 in the Chautauqua County Home. He was born in Jamestown on June 12, 1918, the son of Gunnar and Ada (Johnson) Anderson. Paul grew up on Harding Avenue and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1936, a member of the last class to attend classes at the old high school building and the first class to occupy the new building. During construction, he used a bicycle to attend classes at four different locations. During World War II, Paul worked for General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania. He later worked for Jamestown Telephone Corporation and its successors from 1944 until his retirement as Assignment and Layout Man in 1983. He and business partner Vincent Loop also operated a small radio and television business for several years. Paul was a very active member of Camp Street United Methodist Church, where he served on numerous committees and is remembered as the man who for decades kept the Sunday School attendance records and rang the bell at the conclusion of class each week. Over a period of many years, Paul almost single-handedly built an addition on his home in Ashville, and in later years enjoyed working in his shop, making wooden items to be sold in area gift shops. He was very interested in local history and shared his memories with the Fenton History Center. Paul also was a collector of model fire trucks and a devoted Red Sox fan. Paul is survived by daughters, Pamela K. Anderson and Debra J. (Nelson) Garifi; a grandson, Colton J. Garifi; a sister, A. Lynnette Norman, all of Jamestown; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Shirley M. Johnson Anderson whom he married on October 21, 1955 and who died on March 1, 2011; a brother, Kenneth A. Anderson; and a sister, Carol R. Laughlin. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Camp Street United Methodist Church. The Rev. Kevin Costner, pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. The family suggests that memorials be made to Camp Street United Methodist Church, 110 Sanford Drive, Jamestown, NY 14701; Fenton History Center, 67 Washington Street, Jamestown, NY 14701; or the Ashville Fire Department, 5338 Stow Road, Ashville, NY 14710.