John "Jack" L. Anderson

Maverick Funeral Director

Jack Anderson, one of the funeral industry’s more controversial figures, died November 7th at his home in Stoneham. He was 80.

Jack was widely known for promoting alternative and affordable funeral services. His advocacy for a dignified farewell without the high-priced pomp made him a maverick amongst peers. A frequent speaker at colleges and civic groups, Jack worked closely with the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts (known previously as the Memorial Society). His life revolved around educating and serving others during a most vulnerable time.

His children describe him as a free thinker, a contrarian, a rebel at times who questioned authority. Jack was a man of few words, firm beliefs, and quiet strength. He believed in the dignity of all people. He rooted for the underdog, stray dogs, stray people, lost souls and those down on their luck. He gave people second (and third) chances, and often did business on a handshake.

An only child, Jack was born in Brooklyn NY, to Dr. John Clifford Anderson and Dorothy (Mahaney) Anderson. A resident of Stoneham most of his life, he was raised on Warren Street, and graduated in 1961 from Stoneham High School. Jack attended the University of Bridgeport, where he met his wife Trudance (Borstel) Anderson at freshman orientation. He went on to earn his funeral directors license from the New England Institute at Kenmore Square.

For 55 years, Jack worked as a funeral director at Goodrich Funeral Home in Lynn, Long Funeral Home in Cambridge, and John Bryant and Sons Funeral Home in Stoneham. He would later acquire two of these homes, and proudly serve those communities until his own death.

His wife Trudy was his true North. Together they logged thousands of nautical miles sailing the New England coast. He was happiest exploring the Maine coastline and islands with his family. Jack was a longtime member of the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead, and the Boothbay Yacht Club in Maine. He was a past president of the Stoneham Rotary Club and served on the board of the Stoneham Boys and Girls Club. In the 1970s, Jack served on Stoneham’s Board of Health. In that capacity, he organized a town-wide clean-up, enlisting National Guard manpower; and was instrumental in banning aerial mosquito spraying in Stoneham.

In addition to his wife of 60 years, Jack is survived by his daughter Heather Anderson and her husband Louis Silvestro, his daughter Hillary (Anderson) Smallcomb and her husband James, his son John “Jake” Anderson, and five grandchildren: Owen and Emma Smallcomb; and Marley, Nicholas, and Aurora Silvestro.

He will be buried in the presence of family at Cedar Brook Burial Ground in Limington, Maine.

Visiting Hours will be held at Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home on November 17th from 4-8PM.

A Memorial Service will take place the following day, November 18th, at St. Patrick Parish at 1PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jack’s memory to Building Bridges Through Music (www.bbtmusic.org) or The Boys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham &Wakefield (www.bgcstoneham.org).