SOUTHWICK: 
Elwood Harold Anderson, (91) a resident of Southwick for most of his life, died February 21, 2015. He was born in Westfield, a son of the late Harold and Rose (Sathory) Anderson and was educated in the Southwick elementary schools and a graduate of Westfield High School Class of 1940. After his graduation he began working for Colts Firearms in Hartford before enlisting with the United States Army. Elwood was a veteran of WW II serving with both the United States Army 124th Calvary and the 110thInfantry Headquarters of the 28th Infantry Division as a T/SGT Radio Chief. During these years he was involved in conflicts in Arden’s Central Europe & Rhineland and was the recipient of several awards and citations including the WW II Victory Medal, Good Conduct American Theatre Ribbon with five Bronze Campaign Stars, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, Elwood returned to civilian life where he began a thirty year career with NET&T later known as Verizon as a system supervisor retiring as the service foreman in the Westfield area. Elwood was also very active in the Town of Southwick where he joined the Volunteer Fire Department in 1947 retiring as the Deputy Chief in 1988 and later served as a fire commissioner. He also served as the former Secretary of the Hampden County Fire Mutual Aide Assoc., former Assessor for the Town of Southwick, member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, a 32 Degree Mason with Mount Moriah Lodge of Masons A.F. & A.M. of Westfield, and a Drum Major with the Melha Shrine, a life member of the Southwick Fireman’s Assoc., and longtime member of the Southwick Congregational Church.
He was the devoted husband of the late Joyce E. (Mitchell) Anderson and leaves three children, Nancy Delance and her husband Don of Westfield, Chief Richard Anderson of the Southwick Fire Department and his wife Debbie of Southwick, and Chief Russell Anderson of the Granby Fire Department and his wife Lisa with whom he made his home in Granby; six grandchildren, Audrey, Wendy, Sara, Kristofer, Amy and Kristen; four great grandchildren, Kyle, Lexi, Raelynn and Gracyn Joy. He was predeceased by his sisters, Miriam Withington and Hazel Preli.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 26th from 4-7pmat the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick. Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Army on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. Contributions in his memory may be directed to the Southwick Fireman’s Assoc., 15 Depot St., Southwick, MA 01077 or to the Granby Fireman’s Assoc., 259B East State St., Granby, MA 01033. A private burial will be held at New Cemetery, College Highway, in Southwick at a later date. For more information please visit www.forastierefuneralhome.com.
