E. Ronald Anderson, obituary
SOUTH THOMASTON — E. Ronald Anderson passed away on April 11, 2026 after a brief illness, just one day shy of his 93rd birthday. He was born April 12, 1933 in Rockland, Maine to Thomas Anderson and Effie (Robarts) Anderson. He attended McLain School and graduated from Rockland High School in 1951. After high school, he attended Wentworth Institute in Boston. In 1962 he married Margaret Arey, and together they had three daughters.
There was nothing he couldn’t do with the knowledge he gained from his time with the Sea Scouts as a youth and at Wentworth Institute, and he used that knowledge throughout his life. He spent a brief time in the Army before being medically discharged. He suffered several physical setbacks throughout his life. In 1972 when he was painting the dormers on his house he was building, a wooden roof bracket broke and he fell, breaking his pelvis. This led to numerous operations over the years. He learned carpentry from his father and electrical and plumbing from his father-in-law before turning to lobstering, which was his life’s passion. Starting with a fiberglass hull, he finished off his lobster boat, The Norseman. He did the same for several other local lobstermen.
He enjoyed volunteering at the Owls Head Transportation Museum working on their antique airplanes. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed working on his Model T, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and cookouts with his family and friends. He was a member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge #50 in Rockland for 71 years.
In July, he would have celebrated 64 years of marriage with his wife, Margaret.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Irene (Anderson) Bayley; and his brother, Gordon Anderson.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; three daughters, Beth Gardner (Rick), Lynn Clark (Vaughn) and Gayle Murphy (John); six grandchildren, Mackenzie Fritz (Geoff), Anderson Murphy (Denise), Carson Murphy (Erin), Bayley Dildy (Chris), Morgan Hixson (Nick), and Harrison Clark (fiancé Abby); and three great grandchildren, Meredith Murphy, Cameron Murphy and Lily.
Friends and family are invited to visit Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4 - 6 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter, & Hutchins Funeral Home at 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
To share a memory with the Anderson family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.
