In Loving Memory
Paul Daniel Anderson
April 6, 2023

Paul Daniel Anderson, 65, of Mexico, went to be with his Savior Jesus on Thursday, April 6, 2023. Paul was born on June 2, 1957, the seventh and youngest child of Dr. John R. and Roberta Murtha Anderson. Paul graduated from Mexico Academy and Central Schools in 1975 and Paul Smith’s College in 1977. 

After brief stints at the Cedar Post Restaurant in Pulaski and the Eis House in Mexico, Paul endeared himself to the community as Chef of the Candlelight Cottage in Parish, working under his brother, Mark, for many years. Later, he served as the Dietary Manager at Oswego Hospital. He married Debra Pappa in 1983, and they had two daughters, Katie Marie and Jessica Erin, before divorcing. When he was working at the Candlelight, Paul met his wife, Jeannie, while delivering lunches next door to Parish Elementary, where she taught. Paul came to know Jesus during that time and married Jeanne in 1992, becoming the stepfather to her two daughters, Shannon and Rebecca.

Paul and his family attended Believers Chapel North in Mexico. Beginning in 1997, he pastored there, first as Assistant Pastor and worship leader, then as Associate Pastor, and then was appointed Senior Pastor in 2007. In his twenty-five years of ministry, he touched the lives of countless people by pointing them toward Jesus’ redemption and hope. He led with humility, resolve, and a deep love for people. He listened to understand and to truly hear people, and he spoke the truth with love.  Upon Paul’s retirement from ministry in May 2022, he was named Pastor Emeritus of Believers Chapel North. He had spent the past eleven months slowing down and enjoying the birds in his yard, honing his nature photography skills, driving his grandchildren around, watching Gunsmoke, taking quick trips to Wegmans, cooking for his family, cheering on the Syracuse Orange and the New York Yankees, and enjoying peaceful time with his wife.

Paul was an exceptional man who made a tremendous impact on everyone he met, but was humble enough never to truly realize the reach of his own legacy. He was generous and selfless, always taking opportunities to serve and love people, a living example of the way Jesus loved others. Paul was a wonderful husband to his wife, Jeannie, and cared for her with deep honor and grace. To his daughters, Katie, Jessica, Shannon, Rebecca, and Claire, he truly embodied a father’s love for his children and was always present with encouragement, help, advice, hope, or a good joke. His eleven grandchildren, who called him “Boppa,” were blessed by frequent text messages announcing “BOB o’clock!” (8:08) and updating them with SU scores, golf statistics, and Yankees lineup changes. For his older siblings, the mischievous exploits of Paul’s childhood provide a fond personal facet of his life that a few were lucky enough to experience. Paul loved his community and the people in it, and always had a smile on his daily Big “M”/Tops runs or visits to Price’s Fruit Stand. He was very interested in the history of the community and enjoyed
chatting with his many friends near and far about sports, weather, local happenings, family, and faith. 

Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Jeannie (Ritchie) Anderson, his daughters Katie (Chris Carpenter) Anderson and Jessica (Cody) Fleming; his stepdaughters Shannon (Chad) Bigelow, Rebecca Perry, and Claire (Jim) Boucher; his grandchildren Mia Morris, Zoe DeRonde, Cora Hood, Lexi Hood, Abraham Fleming, Anna Bigelow, Ainsley Bigelow, Ian Bigelow, Ryan Savage, and Beckett Savage; his siblings Michael (Linda), Mary (J. Michael) Mowry, James (Liliana Restrepo), Thomas (Kate), Jerome (Susan), and Suzanne Anderson; many nieces and nephews and extended family; and his cherished friends, who were like family to him, from Believers Chapel North and the Mexico community.

He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. John and Roberta Anderson, his brother, Mark Anderson, and his grandson, Jude Everett Hood. 

Calling hours will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 15, at Believers Chapel North, 5375 St. Rt. 3, Mexico. Following the calling hours on April 15, we will remember Paul with a Celebration of Life at noon, with a reception immediately afterward, also at Believers Chapel North. All are welcome. Arrangements are in care of Harter Funeral Home, Inc. Mexico, NY.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Paul’s memory can contact Hope Beyond Today (P.O. Box 233, Lima, NY 14485), the Mexico Food Pantry, or the Mexico Historical Society.  The family wishes to thank the many people who loved Paul for their extraordinary compassion.

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