M.W. Carl J. Anderson Biography 1979
Carl J. Anderson
Carl J. Anderson, 85, of Higganum, beloved husband of 58 years to his high school sweetheart, Dorothy (Carlson) Anderson, died Friday, (August 6, 1999) at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown.
Born in Middletown, he was the son of the late John A. and Minnie (Swanson) Anderson, and had lived in Higganum for 49 years. Mr. Anderson was educated in Middletown at Long Hill Grammar School, Middletown High School for 3 years and graduated in 1932 with the first class at Woodrow Wilson High School, where he played baseball, football and basketball. He won the title of "Best Athletic Boy" in the class yearbook. He received a four year athletic scholarship to Arnold College of Physical Education in New Haven, and during his college years he participated in all sports and was assistant coach for the gymnastic team. He also sang with the Glee Club for four years.
Upon graduation in 1937 with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education, and during "the Great Depression", he gladly accepted a position at Plainfield High School as Health and Physical Education teacher, head basketball coach and assistant baseball and football coach at a $1,000 per year. In 1942, he was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an ensign in the V-5 athletic program and was discharged in 1945 with the rank of lieutenant. Shortly after returning to civilian life, he became a partner- owner of Undina Beverage Company in Higganum and sold the business in 1960. He was an active member of Connecticut Bottlers Assoc., where he was a member of the Board of Directors and later vice president. In September 1960, he returned to teaching as a physical education instructor and coach of basketball and baseball at the new Haddam Junior High School, which is now Regional District #17 Junior- Senior High School. About this time, he started working on credits towards a Master's Degree in Physical Education, which he finished at Southern CT State College in New Haven.
His Masonic career began at the Granite Lodge #119 in Haddam on Sept. 22, 1948. He was appointed to the lodge line of officers and served as worshipful master in 1956. While he belonged to many Masonic organizations, his interest was blue lodge work that carried him through years of degree work and installations. He served as district deputy in 1969 and 1970. In 1971, he was appointed grand junior steward and continued to fill every office in the grand line. On April 5, 1979, he was elected to serve as the 133rd Grand Master of Mason's in Connecticut and became the first member of Granite Lodge #119 to be so honored in its 102 year history.
He was a member of the York Rite, the Scottish Rite, Sphinx Shrine, St. Andrews Conclave, Tall Cedars of Lebanon and Puritan Chapter #43 O.E.S. He received many honors and awards including The Pierpont Edwards Medal in bronze for distinguished Masonic service. He retired from teaching in June, 1978 and was honored to have a permanent athletic award established in his honor as the "Carl J. Anderson Award", which is given each year to the athlete chosen for his or her high level of ability, leadership, sportsmanship and athletic achievement.
He was a life member of Christ Lutheran Church and had served as head usher for many years. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four sisters and a brother.
Funeral services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Middletown, on Monday, August 9, at 1 p.m. Paul Goetting, interim minister, will officiate and interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middletown. Friends may call at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St., Middletown, on Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. and a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Christ Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 300 Washington St., Middletown, 06457 or Masonic Charity Foundation of CT, 22 Masonic Ave. P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, 06492.
(Copyright @ The Hartford Courant 1999)
