PORTSMOUTH- It is with great sorrow we share the passing of Lawrence Gustav Anderson, Captain, USN retired, on May 26, 2020. The son of first generation Swedish immigrant Gus and Mary (Bissel) Anderson, Larry was destined for a life of magnificent professionalism as a Navy Officer for thirty years,  followed by thirty years of  additional adventure and excitement as the owner of A Touch of Mystery Antiques in Norfolk, Va.

Born 1937 in Camden, he grew up fishing and exploring the area of Mt Ephraim, NJ, and graduated from Audubon High School in 1956.    Columbia University, New York offered a scholarship where he studied psychology, receiving his degree in 1960. Larry spoke often of his days at Columbia as hard work, football, lifelong friendships and NROTC.  Summer of 1960, he reported to his first ship and the start of a dedicated, hard-charging career for his country and sailors.

A natural leader, his no nonsense approach, optimistic  and positive attitude dealing with complex responsibilities  earned  numerous medals, awards and accolades  during his thirty years proudly serving his country.  Commanding Officer DE1015 USS Hamerberg, Commanding Officer FF1072 USS Blakely, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of Navy Personnel, Commanding Officer of Navy Manpower -NMEC NORVA, Chief of Staff COMTRALANT  Atlantic, serving seven months as Commander Training Atlantic (TRALANT),  reverting to the Chief of Staff position when the new CO reported.

Portsmouth, Virginia was his choice for retirement. He worked for the city on boards, including a plank owner of the Children's Museum, Boardwalk Arts Festivals, and the Historic Courthouse museum committees.

Larry's passion for antiques, working with wood, and bringing beauty back to art and furniture led him naturally into a local antique shop on Granby Street, Norfolk.  A talented artist of pen and ink drawings of owls, he enjoyed showing and selling his art for many years in the Washington, DC area. Larry and his faithful companion, Gussie the Lab, greeted customers from around the world seven days a week at A Touch of Mystery Antiques. His knowledge, integrity, and people-person personality will be greatly missed in the antiques industry.

Left to honor and love his memory is his beloved wife Freida; daughter Christa Ponce (Sergio); sons Greg (Kerry), Karl (Tonya), Steve (Rebecca) and Brian (Kelly) Anderson; grandchildren Santiago and Auggie Ponce, Melissa , Gus and Addie Anderson, Mina and Tijana Jirecek; sisters Chris (Jack) Davis, Karin (Doug) Campanell; brother Gus (Linda);  and sister in law Kathy (Bud) Anderson. Larry was predeceased by his parents, brother Bud and nephews Scot and Michael Anderson.  The multi-layered Anderson family is a large clan, and Larry will be missed by many sisters-in-law, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, longtime friends and extended family too numerous to list.

Larry will be remembered for his strong Catholic faith, kindness, integrity, patience and belief all are equal, that our life responsibility is to reach out with love and respect.

Thank you all for your love and support of each other and the great man we all love.

As Larry would say - a Great life is a wonderful family, friends, a loyal furry companion, a good cigar, the daily newspaper, CNN news, a beautiful view of the water and toasting the sunset with a great martini.

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date, with interment at the Albert Horton Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, Va.

Donations to St Paul Catholic Restoration Fund, Oasis Social Ministry or a charity of your choice in memory of Larry are greatly appreciated. Thank you Norfolk Sentara Hospital doctors and staff and Foster Funeral Home for treating us like family in our time of loss. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.