ANDERSON, ALLEN N. (ANDY), 83, of Stonington, CT, passed away on May 25th, joining his wife and soulmate Deborah (Debby) Dey Anderson, after being separated for almost 15 years. Andy grew up in Chatham, Massachusetts, where the love for the sea became a motivating factor for most of his life. He developed his boating skills on the cape as a Sea Scout and began racing consistently at Pleasant Bay Yacht Club in Cape Code knockabouts. Andy’s father taught him to be a spectacular craftsman, which not only yielded some unbelievable workmanship throughout the years but also enabled him to always be “Race Ready.”
After graduating from Chatham High School in 1951, Andy began his undergraduate studies and the University of Maine, Bangor. He joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he made many life-long friends. From 1955-56 Andy served in the Army during the Korean Conflict but was able to resume his studies.
Upon graduating college in 1958 with a mechanical engineering degree, he was hired at Electric Boat division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut working initially for the design department. He moved into the planning department for the overhaul of the earlier Polaris missile nuclear submarine (SSBNs) as a Test Engineer. He then became the Manager of Programming of attack submarines (SSN/688 Class) and then Manager of Program Administration for the SSBNs. He rose through the ranks to become Manager of Planning.
After thirty-one years of service to the defense industry, Andy retired in 1989 to enjoy life with his new bride Debby. Their home on Lambert’s Cove in Stonington. CT was ideal as living near the water was always very important to both of them.
Other than Andy’s childhood upbringing in Chatham, Mass and his time at the University of Maine, Andy resided in Connecticut living in: Jackson Park, Groton (1958-60); Old Lyme (1960-64); Mumford Cove (1963-74); Gales Ferry, Groton (1974-88); and then resided in Stonington (1988-2016).
Andy and his first wife Anne Marshall, selected Mumford Cove as their residence to raise three children with a cove for docking both their sail and power boat. Andy pursued his hobby of lobstering and the whole family joined in on musseling and clamming to add to the many great meals had by family and friends. Discovering and joining Ram Island Yacht Club in Noank, CT began in 1960 which was the start to many colorful race weekends as crew aboard R-Boats, Valiant and Mermerus. Andy also crewed on numerous Newport to Bermuda races but was best known in the racing circuit as skipper of “Tigress” (first in a Dolphin 24 and Tartan 27) over almost three decades.
Andy was a gifted sailor, and was extremely successful in the Off Soundings racing circuit. He was an active member of the Ram Island Yacht Club in Noank, CT since 1959, and served as Commodore in 1984; and served as Commodore of the Off Soundings Club from 1997-98, and a member of the Wadawanuck Yacht Club.
Andy was cool at the helm and consistently found his way to the podium. A delighted crew and awesome competitors would hear “Again, the winner of B-2 is ‘The Big Cat,” Andy Anderson, Tigress!” At Ram Island Yacht Club he was Rear Commodore (1993-94), Vice Commodore (1995-96), and Commodore (1997-98).
With the Off Soundings Club, Andy was awarded the Charles J. Koch Trophy for the best combined result of the Spring and Fall Series in 1973 and 1974, and came close several other years. He was recipient of the Samuel Pepys Trophy in 1988 for best overall performance in Class B (cruising). He was Race Secretary for four years and then floated up to Rear Commodore in 1982, Vice Commodore in 1983, and finally Commodore in 1984. In 2003, by unanimous decision of the Flag Officers, he was awarded the Melvin D. Southworth Trophy which is “given to a member who has displayed outstanding devotion to the Club in performance of tasks or participation in events.”
Andy was also a member of the Wadawanuck Yacht Club in Stonington, Mystic Congregational Church, VFW Post #3263 and The Indian and Colonial Research Center.
He loved the fellowship and competition of the sailing scene. Always one to laugh at a salty story and reciprocate in kind. Mixing it up with family and friends during the ski season at Okemo in Vermont was also a favorite activity to him.
So many quality life-long friends are a testament to Andy’s character, charm and appreciation of good people. Andy was a legendary figure in the local sailing area and his presence and spirit will be sorely missed. Fair winds and following seas.
He leaves his memory and love to his sons Mark Anderson of Baltimore, Maryland, Scott Anderson of Louisville, Kentucky and his daughter Amy Ledoux of Annapolis, Maryland. Andy also had a very unique and special bond with his son’s and daughter in-laws who added to his colorful life and cared for him as their own Father: Laura Albans (Mark’s wife), Jennifer Anderson (Scott’s wife) and Chris Ledoux (Amy’s husband).
Andy is also survived by his sister Judith Ward of Chatham, Massachusetts and brother LeRoy Anderson of Poughkeepsie, New York. Andy’s family encompassed three grandchildren, Kelly McKelvey of Baltimore, Maryland, and Katherine and William Anderson of Louisville, Kentucky, and three great-grandchildren, Gavin, Olivia and Caleb McKelvey.
His family extends its sincerest appreciation to the doctors and staff of the Avalon Health Center in Mystic for all of their compassionate care, as well as at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London. No funeral or visitation is planned but a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy are appreciated in the form of donations, in memory of Andy Anderson, to the Ram Island Yacht Club, Junior Sailing Program, 60 Front Street, Noank, CT 06430 ([email protected]).
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