Carl Dennis Anderson

WESTERLY, RI. - Carl Dennis Anderson, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at his home in Westerly, RI, twelve days shy of his 80th birthday. He was the son of Carl Sr. and Ellen Anderson and older brother to sister Beverly.

Born on the 4th of July, in Mount Vernon, New York, Carl was the epitome of independence. He was raised in Voluntown, CT at his parent’s home and business, Tamarack Lodge. Here he met Karen, his wife of 48 years, and together they owned and operated Tamarack for 29 years. Carl and Karen raised three children, 8 grandchildren, and shared countless memories at Tamarack and Spruce Spring Farm.

Carl had a long, successful career as a trial lawyer, earning his degrees from University of Connecticut and UConn School of Law. Carl was a lawyer for everyone, starting off at Brown Jacobson, then building his own law firm with his closest partners, and ultimately his sons, Christopher and Michael. Carl was known for his passion for helping people, representing injured people and being a trusted advisor to anyone in need. He believed in our civil justice system and proudly served as President of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, an organization dedicated to promoting and improving access to our courts.

Although Carl’s professional career gave him great gratification, he was passionate about his family and friends, and loved to share his Scandinavian culture and love for music with them. He was also an avid fisherman and horseman, and shared these hobbies with his children and grandchildren. He was awarded the Finnish medal, the Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland, for his service on behalf of Finland as the Honorary Consul in Connecticut for over 40 years. He was also President of his fraternity at UConn, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Corporator of Jewett City Savings Bank and Chairman of the Voluntown Democratic Town Committee.

Carl loved music, singing, playing piano, guitar, and his famous accordion. Music was his bond with every generation he touched. Carl cared for horses from an early age of 6 and never stopped, spending a morning at the horse farm his last living day. He was known for his signature belt buckle, cowboy boots and hat, even in the court room.

Carl was a true local legend and will be missed by many in the area, leaving behind many dear friends and family including Karen Anderson (Pellinen), Margaretha Murphy, sister Beverly (Marsh); children and their spouses Christopher and Marietta Anderson, Michael and Heather Anderson, Kate and Joseph Beauparlant; his grandchildren Michael, Grace, Jon, Ellen, Ingrid, Tess, Lyla and Jake; and many loving nieces, nephews and relatives. We will all greatly miss our Patriarch, historian, story teller, late-night crooner, host, friend and mentor.

Carl’s Celebration of Life will be held at Tamarack Lodge on July 17th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please honor his memory with donations to: Finnish American Heritage Society, 76 North Canterbury Road P.O. Box 252Canterbury, CT 06331; Aura Seura, P.O. Box 243, Voluntown, CT 06384

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