John J. Anderson 1930-2025

He was born April 10, 1930, in Youngstown, to Harry Stewart and Mary Louise Thomas Anderson. The family lived in several areas of Youngstown before settling in Poland. He was a proud graduate of Poland Seminary High School and maintained contact with many classmates, meeting for monthly lunches to relive happy memories.

He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and went on to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. During his rotating internship with the Youngstown Hospital Association, he met Dr. Robert Wiltsie, and a partnership was born.

After his residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Jim served in the United States Air Force as a captain and chief of pediatrics at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, before returning to Youngstown and beginning to practice pediatrics, a career that lasted well into his 70s.

He shared on-call duties with Dr. B. Patrick Brucoli and Dr. John LaManna. In 1998, he established Austintown Pediatrics with Dr. Carrie Campanelli. In 2003, he retired from private practice but continued at Tod Children’s Hospital in the pediatric clinic and with the pediatric residents. He was devoted to caring for his patients and to maintaining the integrity of medicine.

He was active in the Mahoning County Medical Society and served as its president in 1977. He was also a House of Delegates member for both the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. At Northeastern Ohio University’s College of Medicine, he served as professor of clinical pediatrics. He had clear ideas of what was right for doctors and, more importantly, their patients, and worked through these institutions to ensure those things happened.

Tod Children’s Hospital was also a focus of his effort. From 1970 through 1975, he was chief of pediatrics, and from 1983 to 1985, he was president of professional staff at Western Reserve Care System. He has served as co-director and director of the Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center. Additionally, he was a coordinator for the cranial-facial team, was active with the child life department and oversaw the residents working in the pediatric clinic. In 2004, Western Reserve Care System acknowledged his efforts with the Henry Holden, M.D., Medical Leadership Award.

A most special event each summer was the annual diabetic camp. He took pride in watching kids enjoy a fun weekend outdoors while maintaining their health.

Jim was a longtime member of Christ Church Presbyterian. He served as both a deacon and an elder. His church family was important to him, and, to this day, the Couples Club presentation of “Hee Haw” and “Rindercella” brings a smile to our family’s faces.

He also was active with the Boy Scouts. As a boy, he was a Scout and became an Air Scout in high school. This interest in flying led him to the ROTC in college and to obtaining his pilot’s license at Southern Airways in Boardman. As a father, Jim joined in Scouting activities with his son Dave, leading to many camping memories and opportunities to hone the best scrambled eggs.

As a gardener, many a conversation took place at Park’s about the best tomatoes and garlic and how to raise them. To truly relax, Jim needed a fishing pole. Trips to Deer Bay, Canada, a tradition begun with his father, in search of the prized muskie and a shore dinner, were things he looked forward to.

Family, however, was always first for him. Jim met Mary Ann at University Hospital, where he was a pediatric resident and she, a student nurse. They were married Aug. 2, 1958, and from that point, they shared everything those 67 years had to offer them with love, grace, family and faith. While he may have lost the ability to remember faces, he always knew to call for Mary Ann when he needed answers, understanding and comfort.

In addition to his loving wife, Mary Ann, Jim leaves behind his four children, Laura (David) Mastro of Austintown, Susan (John) Fromel of Green Township, Dr. David (Bev) Anderson of Hubbard and Heather (David) Brown of Hudson; and his beloved grandchildren, John, Dr. Joshua, Dr. Emily, Nicholas, Michael, Michaela, Megan (Zachary), David and Dawson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Judith McCreery.

The family would like to thank Ava, Carla, Lisa, Cinda and Tiffany for their care and love. He loved being at home with family, and their help made this possible.

Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, with military honors to follow, at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, OH 44514.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Jim’s memory to The Rich Center for Autism, 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555. Checks should be made payable to Friends of the Rich Center.

Jim will be laid to rest privately in Poland Riverside Cemetery.

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