James Andersen

James Carl Andersen, "Jim" - February 2, 1933- November 27, 2025

Jim Andersen passed into eternal life on Thanksgiving Day, November, 27 in Tiverton, RI, slipping away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by those who loved him.

Born on February 2, 1933 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Aksel Valdemar "Walter" and Karla Andersen, the youngest of three children, Jim's early years were marked by both joys and trials. Following his father's death when Jim was three, his mother relocated the family to her native Denmark in 1936, where Jim spent his formative years in the town of Dragør. The family lived under Nazi occupation during World War II, which built his resilient spirit. Thanks to his beautiful, distinctive handwriting, Jim earned a position writing for the Danish royal court. Jim remained deeply proud of his Danish heritage throughout his life, cherishing its traditions, foods, and stories.

In 1954, Jim returned to the United States, a country he came to love very deeply. He often said proudly, "There's no other country like America!" He served in the U. S. Army. During his service time, Jim used the surname of his beloved step-father, Robert Stammerjohann, which led to his commanding officer to jokingly refer to Jim as "funny name". His linguistic abilities landed him work as a German translator during his time in the military.

Life took a beautiful turn in 1980 when Jim met Claire, the love of his life, whom he affectionately called "my honey" or "little Sara". It was love at first sight, so with bold confidence, he quickly proposed. They married on February 15, 1981, and shortly after moved to Clifton Park, NY. Jim embraced Claire's four sons as his own, always caring, helping and advising. In 1988, as empty nesters, they settled in Plymouth, MA, where they lived until moving to Brookdale Sakonnet Bay Assisted Living in Tiverton, RI in 2024.

Jim's kind, positive spirit and keen sense of humor endeared him to all who knew him. He loved his family and loved entertaining on the holidays or for summer cookouts and clam boils. He enjoyed tinkering on projects around the house and yard, and a family joke was that he could fix anything with "gray tape." An avid sports fan, he enjoyed cheering on the Patriots and the Red Sox in his later years. Even as Alzheimer's dimmed parts of his memory, the disease never touched his infectious smile, his laugh, or his loving nature.

Jim is survived by his wife, Claire Theriault Andersen; his children Michael Theriault & wife Linda (Fall River, MA), Mark Theriault & wife Annetta Fries (Breckenridge, CO), Richard Theriault & wife Maura (Kinderhook, NY), Kevin Theriault (Mesa, AZ), Allan Andersen; ten grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, sister Grace Metcalf and niece Catherine Szatkowski (South Carolina).

Jim will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He was a man of strong faith, always attending Mass with Claire. He had no fears of dying, and now rests in peace in the loving arms of his Savior. A heartfelt thank you to all those who cared for him and visited him in his final days. A memorial service will be held at a time and date yet to be determined. Jim always offered these final words when saying goodbye, words he would want us to live by - "Stay happy!"