WOODBURY, CT - Eric Russell Anderson, 60, died unexpectedly July 2, 2007, at home at 33 Grassy Hill Road, Woodbury. For the past 25 years, he had lived with diabetes and its complications. He was the son of Mrs. Eleanor Anderson, with whom he lived, and the late Leroy Anderson.

Eric was born June 29, 1947, in Brooklyn, NY, and came with his parents to Woodbury, CT, to live permanently in 1949. They first lived on Painter Hill Road and then moved to 33 Grassy Hill Road in 1953.

He attended Mitchell Elementary School through 4th grade, but because Eric needed special education, then not available at Woodbury public schools, he attended the Woods Schools in Langhorne, PA. After moving back to Woodbury, he worked at various jobs in nearby towns. In the early 1970's, he worked for several years as a custodian at Nonnewaug High School, then at Mitchell Elementary School.

Despite his lack of formal education and failing eyesight in recent years, Eric was an avid reader of newspapers and a self-educated expert in the era of Big Band and Dixieland Jazz music. He could identify who played which instrument in whose band on which track and name the recording label as well. His passion for music led him to build an extensive collection of LP's and 78's. He was an active member of and important contributor to a record collectors' research group that met in New York City and the New York Sheet Music Society, whose monthly meetings he attended regularly. For many years he worked at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church Fair in Woodbury in the music section where he sold records and audio tapes.

A devoted son, Eric often introduced himself to strangers as the son of Leroy Anderson, the composer of "Sleigh Ride." In recent summers Eric traveled alone to stay at the Hotel Manisses on Block Island, RI, where he enjoyed the unique small-town flavor, general ambiance and restaurants, and where he viewed almost everyone as a friend. He had been looking forward to a return trip to Block Island later this summer.

In addition to his mother, Eric leaves a sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Peter Vercelli of Thompson, CT; a brother and sister-in-law, Rolf and Sharon Anderson of Montgomery Center, VT; a brother and nephew, Kurt Anderson and Ivan Anderson of Roxbury, CT; two nephews, Anders Vercelli of Boston, MA, and Lars Vercelli of New York, NY, and two first cousins Mark Anderson and David Anderson, both of Woodbury, CT.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 15, 2007, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Woodbury, CT. Music will be performed by the Funky Butt Jazz Band whose style of music Eric especially liked. Burial at the New North Cemetery, Woodbury, will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to radio station WMNR, PO Box 920, Monroe, CT 06468 or the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 1762, Waterbury, CT 06721. The Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson - Lovetere, 2 School St., is in charge of arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

Memorials: Memorial contributions may be made to radio station WMNR, PO Box 920, Monroe, CT 06468 or the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 1762, Waterbury, CT 06721.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Woodbury

Services: A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 15, 2007, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Woodbury, CT. Music will be performed by the Funky Butt Jazz Band whose style of music Eric especially liked. Burial at the New North Cemetery, Woodbury, will be private.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.