Death of a legend

Anderson, 84, died from congestive heart failure at his home in Florida Dec. 6. The Canadian-born Anderson worked at Marshfield High School for 32 years before retiring in 1980, and the football field bears his name.

Along with 13 former Marshfield High athletes, Anderson was one of the first inductees into the new Marshfield High School Hall of Fame Nov. 26. He was unable to attend the banquet celebrating his career, which started in 1948.

Steve Atwater, a fellow inductee and 1956 graduate of Marshfield High School, played football and basketball under Anderson and paid tribute to him at the Hall of Fame dinner. Atwater said he wanted to say publicly how much he respected and admired Anderson for a long time but hadn’t had the chance.

“He had a great influence on my life,” Atwater said. “One of the things I learned from him was the value of teamwork. He insisted his players work as a team, not as individuals.”

Atwater said he didn’t realize when he was playing for Anderson how much he cared about his players. It was later that he found out that a “crusty” exterior hid the heart of a softie.

Atwater said another quality Anderson instilled in him was a strong work ethic, and he also taught him that sacrifices were necessary for success in life. Anderson insisted on sportsmanship at all times. Atwater said, and he also learned decision-making and perseverance from his former coach.

“He also taught you that you don’t quit, that you keep trying,” he said.

Dan Connolly, the high school boys hockey coach and Hall of Fame committee member, said it was an easy decision to name Anderson to the Hall of Fame. During the induction ceremony, former players spoke highly of him.

“He was a great coach, but also a great man,” Connolly said. “He gave so much to the community.”

Anderson was also well-known in Marshfield as director and owner with his wife, Phyllis, of the Camp Daniel Webster summer camp at the Daniel Webster Estate from 1959 to 1986, when they moved to Florida. The couple was married 62 years.

During the summer, the Andersons left Florida for the woods of Maine, where they tended cabins. James Anderson remained active into his 80s, according to his family. As recently as last summer, he could still be found splitting logs for firewood for the cabins.

Jim Cantwell learned to swim at Camp Daniel Webster in the early 1970s, and remembers Anderson as a hero to neighborhood youths because he welcomed them to the camp along with the campers.

“We have a lot of fond memories of him and are saddened to hear of his passing,” said Cantwell, now president of the Daniel Webster Preservation Trust.

Athletic director Lou Silva worked with Anderson for six years after he was hired as a young assistant football coach at Marshfield High School in 1973, and has tried to emulate Anderson ever since.

“He was one person I really looked up to,” Silva said. “He was a fine gentleman, very patient, and you could go to him with any question. He was a great guy.”