Roy M. Andersen, Sr., 90, of Lee died peacefully on April 23, 2015. He was born December 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, NY. to John M. Andersen of Bergen, Norway and Anna Michaelsen of Mandal, Norway. Roy was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Elaine Caverno whom he married on February 2, 1950 in NYC at the Little Church Around the Corner. He is survived by his six children, Roy and his wife Judy, James and his wife Terri, Robert and his wife Barbara, Susan Cooper and her husband Steven, Karen Brighenti and her husband Donald, and David and his fiancée Toni, and 11 grandchildren. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY and Hanover, PA graduating from Eichelberger Senior High School and then from NYU with a BS in Business Administration in1950. Roy served in the USAAF in WWII as navigator on B24 Heavy Bombers in the Pacific Theater, and on C-47 Transports for nine months in Japan during the Demilitarization Period until 1946. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 to fly 55 low level night missions in B-26 Attack Bombers over North Korea. He also served as Squadron Navigator and Public Information Officer for his unit, the Eighth Bomb Squadron, fifth Air Force, based in Kunsan, Korea. He received the USAF's highest award, the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as three Air Medals and other citations before returning to Westover AFB, and was released from duty in 1952. After working at WMNB North Adams and WBTN in Bennington, VT, he worked in Sales Admin. at Tansitor Electronics in Bennington, then Schweitzer Division of Kimberly-Clark in Lee, retiring as Business Manager of Dielectric Products in 1982. He then joined Steinerfilm in Williamstown, MA as Director of Marketing for all Dielectric Films. Upon his retirement from that post in 1990, he originated the Capacitor Industry Newsletter which had a very successful run before his "final" retirement. Roy was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Lee. He was a lifelong reader and learner attending many OLLI (BILL) classes and activities. He also enjoyed tennis, x-country skiing, camping and hiking with his family, canoeing and traveling with his wife and their friends. He was also a founding member and former Commodore of YALL (Yacht Association of Laurel Lake)! A memorial service will be held on May 9, 2015 at the First Congregational Church in Lee at 11 AM. A Reception will follow in the Church Hall. Friends wishing may make donations in his memory to the Lee VFW or Pittsfield's Soldier On in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street Lee, MA 01238.

Service Details

Saturday, May 9th, 2015 11:00am, First Congregational Church of Lee