Gordon W. Anderson Jr. Obituary
Gordon W. "Gordy" Anderson, Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23rd from complications of a massive stroke suffered the week before. Born in Gloucester on June 8, 1960, Gordy was 64 years old.
If a life well lived is defined by the number of people you love, and the number that love you, then Gordy's life was indeed well lived. A life-long resident of Gloucester, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone in the city that didn't know Gordy, and those that knew him universally liked him. He was one-of-a-kind to be sure, with a knack for looking at the world simply; when things got complicated, as they always unfortunately do, his response would be, "That's just crazy.". But whether you knew him from fishing off the pier or from walking the Boulevard or from anywhere else in this city that he so loved, you remembered him.
Gordy was an outstanding athlete and rabid sports fan, playing Pee Wee Football for the Riverdale Rockets, varsity hockey and football for GHS, and in his adult years softball for the Lobster Trap Pub team and hockey in the local industrial league. While a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan (his brother Brian has no idea why), it was hockey that was his absolute passion, and regardless of the time of year, if you hadn't seen Gordy for a while the conversation would always start with something about the Bruins. In his post-hockey years, Gordy gave up ice skates in favor of rollerblades, and he could frequently be seen rollerblading around the city (or the Kancamagus Highway in NH if you happened to be on that particular family trip). And when time finally forced him to give up rollerblading, he swapped for two wheels and cycling.
But family always came first with Gordy, whether it was his own children (including about three months ago the fabulous addition to his family of his granddaughter Ivanna) or his siblings or his nieces and nephews and their families as they expanded. He lived for family gatherings and celebrations and couldn't wait for the next family vacation trip.
At heart, though, Gordy was an instinctive caregiver. When his mother Dorothy was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Gordy stepped up, providing an incredible level of care to his mom in the ensuing months, and without intention also providing comfort to his own siblings knowing that mom was in such good and capable hands. No stranger to life's challenges himself, Gordy was always willing to help anyone struggling that asked, and he was never more at his best than when others were experiencing their worst. He was very proud of this, and rightfully so.
A life-long lover of music, just about any genre but particularly the Rock 'n Roll music of his generation (1960s & 1970s), there was not a concert within driving distance that he wouldn't go to see if he had the chance. The French have a term – au revoir – that means, "Goodbye until we meet again.". As a big fan of the Grateful Dead, it is fitting to say au revoir to Gordy with these lyrics from their song, "And We Bid You Goodnight": Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest, Oh won't you lay your head upon your savior's breast, I love you, oh but Jesus loves you the best, And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight, And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight.
A son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, friend. Gordy was all of these and more, and he will be dearly missed by all bound to him by either blood or friendship. We wish you the rest you deserve, and we bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight our brother.
Gordy is survived by his son, Keyan Anderson and his partner Emanual Coa and his daughter, Chassidy Anderson and her husband Helio De Oliveira and granddaughter Ivanna De Oliveira; his sister, Sonia Goulart and her husband Ron Goulart and nephews, Brian and Shaun Goulart and their families; his sister, Heidi Nunes and her husband Kevin Nunes and nieces, Vanessa Cream and her family, Samantha Harrington and her family, and Alexandria Nunes; his brother, Brian Anderson and wife Jennifer Anderson and nieces, Tiffany and Lillyanna Anderson. He also leaves behind more friends than can be counted, and people whose lives he touched in some way.
Gordy was pre-deceased by his mother, Dorothy A. Anderson and father Gordon W. Anderson, Sr.; his beloved daughter, Brietanya L. Anderson; his equally loved niece, Davia R. Bader and his cherished dog Dottie. They are all together now and at peace.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be determined.
Gordy's love for hockey flourished on Cape Ann. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gordon's memory to Cape Ann Youth Hockey, P.O. Box 3091, Gloucester, MA 01930. Thank you.
Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.
