Edward Emil Anderson

Scarborough - Edward “Ed” Anderson, 77, passed away recently at his Scarborough home in the arms of his loving wife and life partner of 42 years, Linda Fisher Anderson. A native of Waterbury, CT, Anderson was a talented schoolboy swimmer and received a scholarship to Rutgers University where he achieved All East honors as a member of the Rutgers swim team. He graduated with a BA in Journalism. He was also an honors graduate of the Sixth US Army Intelligence School stationed at Fort MacArthur, CA. A brief career as a west coast marketing rep for Armstrong Corp. ended when he accepted a position on the publicity staff at Hollywood Park. Similar marketing/pr assignments followed at Pompano Park, The Meadows, Wheeling Downs, Pitt Park, Suffolk Downs, and finally Scarborough Downs. Looking to establish roots in Maine, Ed had a short career as a columnist and sports reporter for the The Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram. At a 1977 press conference to announce the Philadelphia Flyers bringing their American Hockey League development team to the brand new Cumberland County Civic Center, a chance encounter with Flyers owner Ed Snider led to an interview. Ed was the first person hired, and as business manager for the team he carried the distinction as the “Original Mariner”. Midway through the season, at a reception following the thrilling 1-0 Mariners victory over Moscow Dynamo, Snider promoted Ed to President/ CEO of the Maine Mariners. The Flyers stocked the teams well. They were excellent stewards of the franchise... well coached, with quality players. In five pre-season games with National Hockey League opponents, the Mariners were unbeaten against Washington, Minnesota, Calgary, St. Louis, and Hartford. Yet in 1983, the Mariners were abruptly sold to the New Jersey Devils. As the top AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, the Mariners would win the 1984 Calder Cup Championship. Yet business declined, so the Devils relocated their AHL affiliate to Utica, NY. That opened a door of opportunity when a deal was struck to bring the Boston Bruins to Maine. Finally. With the encouragement and guidance from Scott Hutchinson of Key Bank, a local ownership group was formed including Tony DiMillo, Ival “Bud” Cianchette, Ralph DeAngelis, George Denney, Linda Anderson, Bill Nichols, David Despres, Phil Grondin, Dan Gacetta, Harry Stetson, WM Goodman & Sons, Gail and Mike Liberty, Al Cardente, Brian Miller, and “Brother” Bill Bodwell. With the Bruins brand in place, business rose dramatically for two seasons, before decline. A new partner, Frank DuRoss, emerged and repaid all partners what they had paid into the partnership and assumed all dept. But after a final losing season in 1991 (and faced with mounting losses) the team relocated to Providence, RI, rebranded Providence Bruins at the urging of Mayor Vincent A. Cianci , Jr. An instant success with the Bruins logo, people flocked to Providence Civic Center, averaging 10,000 fans per game. To this day Providence ranks among the AHL attendance leaders. Anderson took on a larger role at the AHL Board of Governors, serving on the Constitution Committee, Executive Committee, and cochair of the Negotiating Committee along with Ed’s long time Rhode Island legal counsel Joseph Rodio, Esq, in “discussions” with the Professional Hockey Players Assn. (PHPA) over collective bargaining agreements. In 1999 the Providence Bruins won the Calder Cup, Ed’s fourth AHL Championship with three different NHL Affiliates. Yet he would always claim that his greatest achievement in hockey was his hiring of Mike Emrick in 1977. In 2000, Ed sold his interest in the P-Bruins to his partner. Immediately, the family returned to Maine, Ed and Linda formed Seacoast Sports, a boutique sports marketing agency they had incorporated while living in Providence. It’s focus was the presentation of Boston Bruins off-site home pre season games. A few years later, the firm added the Boston Celtics to its client list and concept. The events would rotate throughout the Northeast. In all, Seacoast Sports would present 19 NHL and NBA pre season events over 17 years. Seacoast Sports also staged the Maine Mariners “Legends” Game that raised $50,000 for the Travis Roy Fund, the Mariners long time stick-boy. Seacoast Sports also enjoyed a multiyear contract to market in-arena signage at Verizon Wireless Arena (now SNHU Arena) that included a long term agreement with New England Dodge to maintain Official Car And Truck status at the facility. Ed was an avid (yet average) golfer. He was proud to be a full member at Prouts Neck Country Club for 52 years. “Where else can you stand on the first tee at waters edge, and marvel at snow capped Mt. Washington looming above the second green in late spring?” He was also a 25 year member at Portland Country Club, serving two terms on the Board of Directors. The highlight of his golf career came in 2006 as a player on the Portland Country Club team at the Annual Donald Ross Interclub Championship won by Portland Country Club. That the team was captained by Frank Langlois (Ed’s longtime partner in the Friday “Swindle” at Portland CC) was special. That the tournament was held at Country Club of Waterbury where Ed acquired his passion for the game as a caddy in 1956 BC (before carts) had extra special meaning. Ed will be missed by his longtime Maine Seniors Golf Tour partners Frank Bathe, Terry Murray, Butch Reilly, and Cole Kelly. As a lifelong fan of racing (including standard-bred ownership with Dana and Jean Childs) Ed’s extensive background in the sport was recognized when he was appointed to the Maine Racing Commission for two terms by Governor Joseph Brennan. Ed was pre deceased by his parents, Peg and Edward Anderson, a vibrant sister Merida Anderson, and her namesake a special maternal grandmother Merida Robinson. He is survived by his wife and life partner, Linda Fisher Anderson, daughter Tara Anderson and granddaughter Astara Vega. He also leaves behind a “Cher-ished” sister Cheryl Coddington of Jupiter, FL and her husband William Coddington, with whom he shared a special brotherly bond similar to his bond with “local’ Brother-in-law Mike Fisher of Poland Springs. He is also survived by an eclectic and highly talented group of “Rock-Star” nieces and nephews including Don Coddington, Heather Quinn Cuzzi, Charles Rullan III, David Quinn, Matt Rullan, Rebecca Fisher, Aimee Stover, and Sydney Coddington. The family would like to express it’s gratitude to Dr. Tim Baum (“The Doctors’ Doctor”) and his team at Intermed for their comprehensive, quality care for over 25 years. And to NECC oncologist Dr. Devon Evans, and Dr. Mark Wrona of NECS Palliative Care. “When I go to sleep... I never count sheep... I count all the charms about Linda” ~ Linda Song ~ At Ed's request there are no services. Donations to your favorite charity are encouraged or to the Prebble Street Resource Center 55 Portland St., Portland, Maine 04101 or to Richard Batchelder Fund, 71 Orchard Farm Road York, Maine.