Norman R. Anderson

Newport, RI - Norman Richard Anderson, Retired Captain of the Newport Police Department, 85, of 14 Norman Street, Newport, RI, died Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Village House Nursing Home, Newport, RI.He was the husband of Antoinette M. DeMatteo Anderson. Born in Newport, RI on February 26, 1924, he was the son of the late Oscar E. and Bessie Patterson Anderson.Mr. Anderson was a graduate of Rogers High School, Parks Air College in East St. Louis, IL and the Renouard Training School for Embalmers, in New York City. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the U. S. Navy before and after which he was a Federal licensed aircraft mechanic working for Northwest Airlines and later as a mechanic and instructor at the Allen Airways and East Coast Aviation Co. at Hillsgrove Airport in Warwick. Norman was a licensed embalmer and funeral director with the Memorial Funeral Home from 1947 to 1952 and then went to work at the Newport Police Department retiring in 1978 as Captain after 25 1/2 years of service, the last eight years of which, he was in charge of the Detective Division. Upon his retirement from the Newport Police Department, once again he resumed working as an embalmer and funeral director with the Memorial, Hambly and Connors Funeral Homes having last worked in December of 1987. He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 8, lifetime member of the Newport Police Relief Association, a member of the Aquidneck Radio Control Flyers Club and for many years he was an active Amateur Ham Radio Operator and Past President of the Newport County Radio Club.Besides his wife of 60 years, he is survived by his sons Robert R. Anderson of Amesbury, MA, Carl R. Anderson of Greenville, RI, Bruce R. Anderson of Cumberland, RI and Donald R. Anderson, Lt. Col, Ret USAF of Belleville, IL and two granddaughters Abigail Anderson and Alexis Anderson.He was the brother of the late Alice E. Flagg. His funeral will be held on Monday, June 15, 2009, at 11:00 am in St. Peters Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Middletown Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2009, from 2-6 in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.