Donald O. Anderson

Newport, RI - Donald Osborne Anderson, 78, of 87 Kay Street, Newport, RI died on Thursday October 30, 2008 at home. Born in Newport, RI on July 30, 1930, he was the son of the late Alfred and Kathleen McDuff Anderson. He was the husband of the late Solveig M. Gerberville Anderson.Mr. Anderson volunteered to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served in active combat and was awarded three battle stars during his two years of service and was discharged in 1953. Retuning to Newport he worked in the field of construction and established his own business, Donald O. Anderson Son Construction, in 1960. His company was involved in local residential and commercial construction. He operated his business with his son Daniel C. Anderson for over 40 years. In the sixties and seventies, Mr. Anderson was a local pioneer in the redesign and conversion of local estates for resale as condominiums. For the last 20 years, he was a caretaker for the Goulet family estate, Southside, in Newport.An avid sailor, he was a longtime member of the Newport Yacht Club. Sailing with his family, he cruised the waters of Southern New England aboard his Yawl Solveig, passing on his love of the sea to his children. With a passion for wooden boats, Mr. Anderson became an achieved restorer of several classic wooden yachts, including the designs of both John G. Alden and Nathaniel G. Herreshoff. Mr. Anderson enjoyed the outdoors with a fondness for rescuing injured and abandoned wild animals. He was an amateur artist and was a lifelong student of politics and history. He is survived by three sons: Daniel C. Anderson of Newport, RI, Eric N. Anderson of Middletown, RI, and David O. Anderson of Newport; five daughters: Kristen A. Miner and Alysa A. Boyle of Newport, Robin D. Fleming of Portsmouth, Taryn E. Amoruso of Newport, and Dana A. Anderson of Newport. Mr. Anderson also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.Funeral arrangements will be private. Donations in his memory will be made to the American Heart Association, 222 Richmond Street, Suite 108, Providence RI, 02903.