It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of John Anderson, Auburn Mass Daily co-founder and well-known personality around Auburn. John developed some medical issues after returning from a safari in Africa, issues that compounded and never allowed him to fully recover. Despite a seemingly endless string of negative prognoses from caregivers, John remained optimistic throughout, finally making it back to his own home where he passed surrounded by his loving family.
Words can’t even begin to express how deeply John will be missed. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Donna, his son Robbie, and all his brother, sisters, friends and extended family.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 26 from 4pm-7pm at the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester. John’s full obituary appears below, but one just can’t capture John’s essence in words. So I guess it’s good that John was such a gifted and prolific photographer. I hope to provide a proper eulogy in this space in the coming days.
John Robert Anderson, 62, of Millbury (formerly of Auburn), passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and son at his side on January 23, 2022.
John was born in Schenectady, NY, November 1, 1959, the son of the late Robert and Dorothy Anderson. John is survived by his wife of 30 years, Donna (Bologna) Anderson and son Robert Francis Anderson, his brother Tom (Kathy Galgano) of San Jose, California, and his sisters Nancy (Tony) DaSilva of Irvine, California, and Carol (Steve Crane) Anderson of Colchester, Vermont, 5 nieces, 5 nephews and 2 great-nephews.
John grew up in Dalton, Massachusetts. At Wahconah Regional High School, John began his life-long love of photography and published photographs in the Dalton News Record. While attending UMASS Amherst he started his second career as an EMT/firefighter.
John had a varied and interesting career. His love of photography and firefighting led him to FirePro, forensic consultants investigating fires in the late 1980s. John then concentrated on his own business, Visual Concepts, and worked with many companies in the Leominster area as a commercial photographer. John was also a call EMT/firefighter for the Auburn FD for 20 years.
His interests included model railroading and the history of the railroad in the U.S., travel, and wildlife photography. Anyone familiar with John’s Facebook page has seen his photos from the Galapagos Islands to the Amazon rainforest to the Masai Mara in Kenya. He also was a co-founder, writer, and photographer for Auburn Mass Daily, contributing articles and photographs on all things Auburn. He especially enjoyed following Auburn sports and you could find John at most Auburn High School games.
For many years, John was an Auburn town meeting member and a representative on the Auburn Open Space Committee. He also coached Auburn Youth Soccer.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend John’s Life Celebration visitation on Wednesday, January 26th from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester. Due to Covid Restrictions Masks most be worn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway in Alna, Maine. www.wwfry.org
