Although known as a tireless worker for Boissevain, Anderson did not originate from the community. He was born on April 20, 1938 in MacGregor, Manitoba, the youngest of four boys. After finishing school, Anderson enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force to get his education in electrical engineering. He completed a 32-month course, then went to the RCAF Southport base where he tested and repaired NATO pilot’s communications equipment. After his days in Air Force Blue he then began a 34-year career with Manitoba Telephone Service. He started in the Dauphin-Brandon-Swan River area. When the microwave systems began operating in Manitoba, he applied for the post in Boissevain. He and his family then moved from Dauphin to Boissevain.
While in town, it did not take too long for him to be involved. He was a long time and active Lions Club member, for example. It was his service on Boissevain Council that was his true measure. He was first elected to council in 1980. After serving for almost a decade, he was tapped for the mayor’s chair to replace Jack Houston. He did that in November of 1989. It was a seat he would not relinquish until the same month in 2017. Only once was Anderson challenged in a mayoral election, and over those years, the community changed in so many ways as to be almost unrecognizable.
One person who remembers Anderson well, and who worked with him for a long time, is Bob McCallum. He was Anderson’s counterpart for many years as the reeve of the RM of Morton. McCallum first joined Morton council in 1986 while Anderson was on the other side of the table. In 1996, McCallum took over as reeve.
He said he knew Anderson before they were on councils together. At one time, although he himself was not a Lion, McCallum took his horse team out to transport the Lions Club around for Christmas caroling. It was when they were together, both in the top jobs, that the relationship took flight.
“I was not on his council,” McCallum explained, “but I was sort of his right hand man on the other council. I was probably the longest serving member with him, for the longest period of time.”
One of his first memories of working with Anderson was when he took over as reeve. In a conversation with the more veteran mayor, he laid out his desire for a closer relationship between the urban Boissevain and the rural Morton.
“I wanted us to work as one community. I felt the two councils could get closer together. We would have more power as a community if we recognized we were one community. I got ahold of Ed one day, and I said I thought the two councils should meet more often, that Morton and Boissevain should be closer. Ed agreed with me, he was really behind that.”
They started calling more and more joint meetings, and the two municipalities began working together more. McCallum remembers he and Anderson sat with Administrator Lloyd Leganchuk to discuss things at budget time and more joint projects were undertaken. Perhaps the growth of this relationship is why when amalgamation was completed in 2015, it was as seamless as a forced marriage could be. Of course, Anderson led in that direction too, being the first mayor of Boissevain-Morton.
McCallum felt the relationship took root in the late 1990’s when veterinarian Roy Wilbee announced his retirement. They met to see what to do about it, as the community needed a vet. They decided not only to look for veterinarians but to try to build a clinic. They got together with Don Ransom and federal vet Don Hemmingway and the four of them went to see Agriculture Minister Harry Enns in Winnipeg. Soon after they got word money was available if the Town and the RM would match it. The clinic was built with volunteer help and veterinarians Drs. Jeff Gervin and Haley Adams were hired. As a cattleman, this would certainly grab and keep Anderson’s attention.
“I think that was the coming together of the two municipalities,” McCallum stated. “Ed and I wouldn’t let that slip, we kept it going. We did a lot of things together after that.”
That did not mean there were no disagreements, and each defended their municipality. But McCallum said there was mutual respect and everything could be and was discussed.
“Ed was a driving force. He had a vision for what this community needed. He was a pillar in our community; there was no doubt about it. He saw things other people didn’t see. People who sat around the board tables didn’t always agree with him, but he made things happen.”
“He spoke so earnestly. Everyone respected him for that.”
One major contribution Anderson made to the community was in health care. He knew no town could survive without doctors and nurses, and he did something about it. He was instrumental in recruiting Dr. Meyer Nell from South Africa, now one of the most respected physicians in the province. There were times where there were clashes with the RHA, and he and others stood firm to make sure everything stayed on the right track. McCallum also remembered the two of them signing return of service agreements with prospective nurses, which helped keep the health centre open. There was also a meeting at the Peace Garden in which Premier Gary Doer was attending. Anderson went to Doer and got him to visit the Boissevain Health Centre, showing him the lack of a proper clinic. This helped get the ball rolling for the new clinic in the building.
“There is no question about it, he was the person who got health care to where it is in the community now.”
Another major area that holds the Ed Anderson stamp is beautification. This was one of his pet projects, making the town more attractive. He always spoke of this as an obvious benefit – people would want to visit a pretty town, and maybe move here. Both flowers and the tree canopy kept his attention. There were plenty of willing helpers and they were able to make Communities in Bloom a big part of Boissevain. The community was able to put its best foot forward – as Anderson said, “wrap itself in a big, blue ribbon”, and won at every level. Even the community’s championship in 2019 was a credit to what the mayor had done. He put Boissevain on the map, and it is a testament to his influence that CIB President Raymond Carriere and a couple of judges left comments on Mayor Ed’s tribute wall.
McCallum feels Anderson’s influence on beautification started by personal example. He beautified his own yard on North Railway Street, and almost challenged everyone else to follow him.
“Someone said to me, ‘Ed started this beautification thing by embarrassing everyone into doing it’,” McCallum remembered.
Anderson also spent a lot of years on the Peace Garden Board of Directors, including terms as president.
During his tenure, a new water plant and fire hall were built, as was a new landfill site. He was a big proponent of creating new phases in the new development, which saw many new high-level houses built in the community. Other projects, including a library, to a theatre, a recycling centre, the ArtsPark or dressing rooms in the arena were completed. Mayor Ed might not have driven each of them, but his attitude helped make them possible.
McCallum said Anderson was a big advocate for the community, although he was usually able to do it without losing his temper. You definitely knew where he came from.
“Everybody knew where Boissevain was. There was never any question of that.”
McCallum refers to his old friend and partner as a “hub”, the wheel that made things turn. They worked together until the rural member was done in 2014. Right now, he said this is the time of year he and Ed would be collecting the Christmas gifts for the staff. There is no question he will miss the mayor.
“I feel I was privileged to work with Mayor Ed,” McCallum stated. “No one else had the vision. He was unstoppable. He has a legacy that is hard to put words to. I doubt there will ever be anyone like him in this community again.”
Anderson is survived by his wife Lynne, his daughters Erin and Darcy and families. His funeral is scheduled for 1:30pm on Saturday, December 14 at St. Paul’s United Church.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff