Alvin B. Anderson Sr. "Al"

Alvin (Al) Bernhard Anderson, Sr. NORTH CHILI: Passed peacefully into eternal life early Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the age of 97 ½. Al was born in Miami Florida on March 10, 1925, to parents, Axel B and Ruth (Eakins) Anderson. He lived until age 52 in Dade County, Florida. His joy in life was his family. He met his wife at Christmas 1955 and was married on October 6, 1956, in Parameter Chapel in North Chili, NY. He could not imagine his life without her in it. They enjoyed participating in church, church choir, traveling, stock car races, and trips to the beach or Lake Ontario when there was a full moon. He embraced his wife’s family and became very committed to helping and assisting them in many endeavors. He was so excited when his daughter was born and ecstatic when his son came 20 months later. He was supportive of their endeavors throughout his life. In his later years, he celebrated having his grandchildren and looked forward to the weekly skype/facetime calls to see how they were growing and what they were learning. From age 12, until he left for the Korean War, he lived with his grandparents, CP and Grace Eakins. He graduated from Miami High. After graduation, until being drafted in the US Army, he held numerous jobs as a gas station attendant, truck driver, Eastern Airlines ground crew, and carpenter. He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1950-1952. Upon returning from the war, he built his first home and after working for himself, joined the Miami Beach Fire Department in 1955. He worked in Miami Beach until retiring in January 1977. In the fall of 1977, he moved his family north to North Chili, his wife’s hometown, to provide care for his wife’s mother, Elizabeth Staines, who had been like a mother to him. Beginning in the early 1980’s he served as head facility manager for Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church in North Chili for 10 years. During these years he mentored many young men and women from Roberts Wesleyan College and the North Chili area as they worked for him at the church. Al always was an avid learner, philosopher, inventor, master carpenter, and mechanic. He was a hard worker and was always working on remodeling or construction jobs. He bought and sold land in Florida, built homes, and managed rental property. He was always a man with a story, very observant, and had a subtle sense of humor. Always thankful for the way the Lord had blessed him and willing to share his time, resources and talents to those around him. He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Mary Eleanor “Mel” Staines Anderson, He is survived by his daughter, Sondra Anderson of Chili, NY; son, Alvin B. Anderson (Stacy) of Prague, Czech Republic; grandchildren, Elizabeth “Ellie” and Jacob “Jake” Anderson; niece, Mary Beth Kilgore (Gary) of Indianapolis, IN; great-niece, Kara Benson (Dave) and great-nephew, Kevin Kilgore (Casey). The family wishes to thank the staff and shabazz’s of the Rochester Presbyterian Home’s Cottage Grove residence and The Village at Heritage Ministries in Gerry, NY for their care of him since February 2020. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the Staines/Anderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Roberts Wesleyan University, 2301 Westside Dr. Rochester, NY 14624. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 13, from 3-5 at the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home located at 2771 Chili Avenue in Rochester. His memorial service will be held at Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church located at 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili, NY at 7 PM on Monday, November 14. Please contact the family for information concerning life streaming the service.

Alvin B. Anderson Sr. "Al"

March 10, 1925 - October 22, 2022