Obituary for Stephen E. "Steve" Anderson
Stephen E. “Steve” Anderson, 77, lifelong Shrewsbury resident, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, with his loving family at his side.
Steve leaves behind his devoted children: Dana L. Anderson, of China, ME, Eric S. Anderson, of Shrewsbury, and Kirsten M. West and husband Matthew, of Millbury, MA; grandchildren: Alyeska, Aidan, Cadance, and Aaron, to whom he was lovingly known as “Grampy Steve-o”; several nieces and nephews, including Patrick, Kerrie, and Daniel Flynn; as well as best friends from childhood, Edward Flynn and wife Joyce, of Shrewsbury, and dear close friends, George Rigney and wife Debbie, of Holden, and Billy Rigney of Worcester. Steve was predeceased by his former wife, Maryann M. (Brouillet) Anderson; his brother, Dale E. Anderson; and their parents, Walter E. Anderson and Maxine L. (Rouse) Anderson.
Steve was born in Worcester, and raised and educated in Shrewsbury. He attended Shrewsbury High School, where he was a talented multi-sport athlete and graduated with the Class of 1964. He always fondly remembered his days on the football field. Steve went on to attend and graduate from Worcester Junior College, receiving an Associate’s degree in Engineering.
From an early age, Steve was surrounded by the world of construction. His father owned and operated Sylvan Homes, Inc. in Shrewsbury, which he founded in 1954. A central tenant of Steve’s character was his admirable work ethic. Steve grew his father’s business into a large and prosperous realty and construction company. This allowed him to offer his children endless opportunities to shovel snow, mow lawns, and clean apartments on the weekends. A successful builder and developer, Steve could be found doing anything the job required. Even after the long work day, Steve would always be busy working on his own home or cutting and splitting firewood for his family and parents. Throughout the winter he would be out late through the night, often with his children begging to tag along, plowing and sanding numerous properties. He would be as likely to be found behind the wheel of a plow truck in winter or a piece of heavy equipment on a job site as he would be to be at the helm of managing the construction of a large development. His children are immensely grateful to have learned the value of hard work, self-sufficiency, and drive from his example and from their involvement in business operations as they grew.
Steve was proud of his Swedish heritage and could often be found listening to his favorite Swedish band, ABBA, while cooking and enjoying cultural specialties such as Kottbullar (Swedish Meatballs), Pressgurka (Swedish Cucumbers), Inlagd Sill (Pickled Herring) on traditional Wasa Crackers, and sipping on a warm drink of Glogg. Growing and preserving his own food was always a part of Steve’s life. As a child, he and his parents maintained their gardens at home, and he continued this tradition with his own children and grandchildren. Later in life Steve continued to enjoy growing his own food to either pickle, can, or cook with. He made the most delicious homemade sauces, soups, and chowder, using ingredients from his own garden. His specialties included his Swedish favorites, anything Italian, and grilling outdoors anywhere from the backyard to the beach.
As a boy, Steve enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing initially with his father and later including numerous good family friends. He also participated in the local Boy Scout Troop for many years. As he grew older, Steve loved boating, especially being on the ocean off Race Point, on the Cape, with his family and friends. Cape Cod was a special place for Steve. He would talk about camping on Race Point and he and his friend Edward Flynn running their fishing boats up on the beach at the end of the day and cooking their fresh catch over an open fire. One of his favorite activities was to drive his pickup truck through the dunes out onto the beach and spend the day with his family and later with his grandchildren, followed by a feast of lobster and steamers back at home at days’ end. This was a Fourth of July tradition for all his adult life. In fact, his children and grandchildren first learned to steer sitting up in his lap behind the wheel of that pickup truck on the beach.
Steve also enjoyed snowmobiling and golfing. He loved being out riding his Harley, most often with his partner-in-crime, George, and tore it up at many Bike Week Rallies. He also had an affinity for classic Westerns. One of Steve’s greatest joys was watching his kids and grandkids at their sporting events. He also enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to play cards, especially Cribbage and Pitch.
In his later years, Steve enjoyed spending time at home, watching the wildlife in his yard, and loved feeding the birds and deer. Always wanting to be involved, even after he retired, he would visit construction sites and just sit and watch, as if overseeing one of his own construction projects. He had always loved operating the heavy machinery and equipment, at which he had been very skilled.
Above all, Steve was a fighter. Anyone who knew him would tell you how hardworking he always was, and that determination showed in the enormous strength with which he faced the medical battles of his final years.
Steve’s family would like to thank his wonderful care team, including his favorite nurse, Ashley Burke, NP, and his doctors: Dr. David Weinstock, Dr. Elias Arous, Dr. Jared Michelson, and Dr. Brigid Carlson, all of whom compassionately dedicated their efforts to him.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Anderson family from 4 – 7 PM on Friday, March 15, 2024 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. His funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 11 AM on Saturday, March 16th, with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
Steve leaves behind his devoted children: Dana L. Anderson, of China, ME, Eric S. Anderson, of Shrewsbury, and Kirsten M. West and husband Matthew, of Millbury, MA; grandchildren: Alyeska, Aidan, Cadance, and Aaron, to whom he was lovingly known as “Grampy Steve-o”; several nieces and nephews, including Patrick, Kerrie, and Daniel Flynn; as well as best friends from childhood, Edward Flynn and wife Joyce, of Shrewsbury, and dear close friends, George Rigney and wife Debbie, of Holden, and Billy Rigney of Worcester. Steve was predeceased by his former wife, Maryann M. (Brouillet) Anderson; his brother, Dale E. Anderson; and their parents, Walter E. Anderson and Maxine L. (Rouse) Anderson.
Steve was born in Worcester, and raised and educated in Shrewsbury. He attended Shrewsbury High School, where he was a talented multi-sport athlete and graduated with the Class of 1964. He always fondly remembered his days on the football field. Steve went on to attend and graduate from Worcester Junior College, receiving an Associate’s degree in Engineering.
From an early age, Steve was surrounded by the world of construction. His father owned and operated Sylvan Homes, Inc. in Shrewsbury, which he founded in 1954. A central tenant of Steve’s character was his admirable work ethic. Steve grew his father’s business into a large and prosperous realty and construction company. This allowed him to offer his children endless opportunities to shovel snow, mow lawns, and clean apartments on the weekends. A successful builder and developer, Steve could be found doing anything the job required. Even after the long work day, Steve would always be busy working on his own home or cutting and splitting firewood for his family and parents. Throughout the winter he would be out late through the night, often with his children begging to tag along, plowing and sanding numerous properties. He would be as likely to be found behind the wheel of a plow truck in winter or a piece of heavy equipment on a job site as he would be to be at the helm of managing the construction of a large development. His children are immensely grateful to have learned the value of hard work, self-sufficiency, and drive from his example and from their involvement in business operations as they grew.
Steve was proud of his Swedish heritage and could often be found listening to his favorite Swedish band, ABBA, while cooking and enjoying cultural specialties such as Kottbullar (Swedish Meatballs), Pressgurka (Swedish Cucumbers), Inlagd Sill (Pickled Herring) on traditional Wasa Crackers, and sipping on a warm drink of Glogg. Growing and preserving his own food was always a part of Steve’s life. As a child, he and his parents maintained their gardens at home, and he continued this tradition with his own children and grandchildren. Later in life Steve continued to enjoy growing his own food to either pickle, can, or cook with. He made the most delicious homemade sauces, soups, and chowder, using ingredients from his own garden. His specialties included his Swedish favorites, anything Italian, and grilling outdoors anywhere from the backyard to the beach.
As a boy, Steve enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing initially with his father and later including numerous good family friends. He also participated in the local Boy Scout Troop for many years. As he grew older, Steve loved boating, especially being on the ocean off Race Point, on the Cape, with his family and friends. Cape Cod was a special place for Steve. He would talk about camping on Race Point and he and his friend Edward Flynn running their fishing boats up on the beach at the end of the day and cooking their fresh catch over an open fire. One of his favorite activities was to drive his pickup truck through the dunes out onto the beach and spend the day with his family and later with his grandchildren, followed by a feast of lobster and steamers back at home at days’ end. This was a Fourth of July tradition for all his adult life. In fact, his children and grandchildren first learned to steer sitting up in his lap behind the wheel of that pickup truck on the beach.
Steve also enjoyed snowmobiling and golfing. He loved being out riding his Harley, most often with his partner-in-crime, George, and tore it up at many Bike Week Rallies. He also had an affinity for classic Westerns. One of Steve’s greatest joys was watching his kids and grandkids at their sporting events. He also enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to play cards, especially Cribbage and Pitch.
In his later years, Steve enjoyed spending time at home, watching the wildlife in his yard, and loved feeding the birds and deer. Always wanting to be involved, even after he retired, he would visit construction sites and just sit and watch, as if overseeing one of his own construction projects. He had always loved operating the heavy machinery and equipment, at which he had been very skilled.
Above all, Steve was a fighter. Anyone who knew him would tell you how hardworking he always was, and that determination showed in the enormous strength with which he faced the medical battles of his final years.
Steve’s family would like to thank his wonderful care team, including his favorite nurse, Ashley Burke, NP, and his doctors: Dr. David Weinstock, Dr. Elias Arous, Dr. Jared Michelson, and Dr. Brigid Carlson, all of whom compassionately dedicated their efforts to him.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Anderson family from 4 – 7 PM on Friday, March 15, 2024 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. His funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 11 AM on Saturday, March 16th, with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.