Alfred "Pat" Anderson, 89

Long time North Adams resident, Alfred (Pat) Anderson died peacefully in his sleep on January 22 at the age of 89. Pat was the second of four sons of Francis (Andy) Anderson and Ruth (Jacob) Anderson. He was predeceased by his older brother John (Jack) and his younger brother Neil. He is survived by his brother, Steve, who lives in Ford City Pennsylvania.

Pat was born and raised in North Adams surrounded by his extended family in the neighborhood that he fondly referred to as “the five roads.” He and his life long friends attended Houghton Elementary School and Drury High School. Pat loved sports and played on the Drury High basketball and baseball teams. Upon graduation from high school, Pat enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he proudly served his country as a radioman aboard the USS Dennis J. Buckley during the Korean War. After returning from military service, he enrolled at North Adams State Teachers College. In college he earned his teaching degree, played basketball, and began to date the cheerleader who would become his wife, Alice (Molloy).

After college, Pat and Alice got married, bought a house, raised three children and spent their careers teaching in the North Adams Public schools. Pat taught 7th and 8th grade science at the former Freeman Junior High School and the North Adams Middle School until his retirement in 1994. Shortly after his retirement, he lost his beloved wife Alice who died in 1998. Pat continued to live, “up on the hill,” at his home on Natural Bridge Road where he enjoyed years of playing golf as a member of the North Adams Country Club, taking long walks through the Natural Bridge State Park, visiting with his neighbors (and supplying their dogs with treats), feeding the birds, and enjoying visits from his children and grandchildren. He also continued his enthusiasm for sports as he followed his Boston sports teams through many years of ups and downs. During his last year, Pat lived in Sudbury, MA at Bridges Memory Care Assisted Living.

Pat leaves behind his three children, Julie Hebble and her husband John Hebble of Sudbury MA, Betsy Anderson and her husband Mickey Zibello of Cambridge MA, and Dan Anderson and his wife Denise O’Donovan of Amherst MA. He also leaves his 7 grandchildren, Tom, Patrick and Emily Hebble, Noah and Eli Zibello, and Emma Jo and Lucy Anderson. His great grandson, Max Hebble, will also miss his visits to Bridges to share some ice cream with his great grandfather. In addition to his immediate family, Pat also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, with whom he enjoyed many years of visits and family celebrations.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday January 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Church in North Adams, MA. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot. Calling Hours will take place on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Church. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.