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“Melville “Roy” Anderson, 100, who was born on August 25, 1922, in Chicopee, Mass., to Arthur and Catherine (Arrowsmith) Anderson, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., after a short illness.
Roy was the eldest of 10 children. He attended local Chicopee schools before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942. He served during World War Two in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters as a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer, where he saw action. Roy was honorably discharged in late 1946. He was employed at Storms Forge in Springfield for a brief time before starting his career with the Massachusetts State Police in 1947.
In June of 1947 he was appointed as an Emergency Temporary State Police Officer (ETSPO) to fill the State Police shortages caused by WWII. He was appointed to the 32nd Recruit Training Troop in September 1947. Upon completion of Trooper Basic Training, he was assigned his first duty at the Grafton Barracks. He was later assigned to the MSP barracks in Lee and in Pittsfield, while attaining the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. He went on to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice at WSU while working as a Trooper.
Massachusetts State Police photo.
Roy had many details while serving; one being the personal aide to Massachusetts Governor Christian Herter’s security detail. He was assigned to the Northampton barracks and was promoted to Captain and Troop B Commander. Not long after he moved to Troop A in Framingham as Troop Commander. He then attained the rank of Major and Commander of Western Field Operations. He retired from the MSP in April 1971 and accepted the position of Manager of Corporate Security with Western New England Telephone, retiring in 1988. Roy was a proud former Massachusetts State Trooper and carried that throughout his life.
Roy was a long serving Director of the Western Mass Telephone Workers Credit Union, now Freedom Credit Union. He was a member of The Former Troopers Association, The Retired Troopers Association, and the American Legion Post #293, where he was made an Honorary Life Member.
He enjoyed the game of golf and played many courses in his time. Roy was fortunate to card a hole-in-one three times. He was a long-time member of Elmcrest Country Club in East Longmeadow, where two of those hole-in-ones occurred.
Roy’s 100th Birthday was celebrated last year at Red Rose Pizzeria as a surprise party. It was attended by many family members, friends and beloved neighbors. It was a special day that he talked about fondly.
Roy was predeceased by his first wife Marie (McDonough) Anderson of Lee, Mssachusetts in 1953. His second wife of 61 years, Patricia (Barry) Anderson, passed away in March 2021.
Roy leaves five children: Jayne Anderson of Seattle, Wash.; Jeanne Marie McCormick and husband John of South Weymouth, Mass.; Kathryn Anderson of Braintree and Lee, Mass.; Kristen Anderson of Bradenton, Fla.; and Peter Anderson and wife Donna of Russell, Mass. Roy leaves nine grandchildren: Jason Ribadeneyra, Zachary Dominique , Brandon Dominique, Elizabeth Hall, Katie Newell, Alex McCormack, Lauren Meals, Hilary Anderson , and Amelia Anderson, and six great-grandchildren. He also leaves brothers Kenneth Anderson, William Anderson, and John Anderson and sister Shirley Kolby, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, In-laws and friends.
Roy was predeceased by grandsons Nicholas Hall and Noah Anderson, sisters Muriel Mailloux, Margaret Hicks, Sally Perusse, and Dorothy Walker, and brother Robert Anderson.
The Anderson family would like to thank the health care staff who cared for Roy during the past several months at Berkshire Medical Center and Mary’s Meadow. Roy’s family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Mary Kate Langone and Regina Del Padre from Murphy Avis Assisted Living and the amazing staff at Mercy Medical Center, notably Taryn, Nancy and Dr. Loiacono (“Dr L”) in the ICU. Their care and compassion through this difficult time was comforting to Roy and his family.
The family is also grateful to Lieutenant Daniel Sheehan of the Massachusetts State Police for his friendship and assistance in coordinating the MSP attendance at Roy’s 100th birthday and the upcoming services; to “Chief” Albert Michaelis for the dinners at American Legion Post #293 and tutelage in computer class at E.L Senior Center; and to Frank “Tiny” Magrone for all of the golf and good times.
Roy was sharp and vibrant until the very end with a quick wit and constant sense of humor. His leadership and presence will be missed dearly by his family.
Calling hours for Roy will be held from 4-7 PM Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow,. His funeral will be held Friday April 21, 2023 starting promptly at 9:45am in the funeral home, with his Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30am at St Michaels Church, 128 Maple St, East Longmeadow. Following Mass, Lieutenant (Ret.) Melville “Roy” Anderson will be buried with Military Honors will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Roy’s name to The Massachusetts State Police Museum, American Legion Post #293, or to a charity of one’s choice. To leave an online condolence visit www.forastiere.com.”-“Massachusetts State Police.
