Captain Harry Anderson, Age 102, Honored for Military Service

Cleveland, OH — Recently, one of Cleveland’s most legendary and beloved maritime figures, Captain Harry Anderson, age 102, was recognized for his distinguished service in the U.S. Merchant Marines with a Veterans Recognition Ceremony at his home at the Harbor Court Retirement Community in Rocky River. Conducting the ceremony were fellow Veterans and Hospice of the Western Reserve volunteers Don Stark and Gregg Weiss. Veterans Bill Boehm, Al Frutig, Herb Rogers, Chuck Sutter, John Creech, Ed Sheehan, Roger Snyder, Dick Winfield and Jack Koran were also honored.

A long-time captain with Cleveland-Cliffs, where he shipped iron ore pellets and coal on the Great Lakes for the steelmaking industry, “Captain Harry” is fondly known by generations of Clevelanders. Following his mandatory retirement at age 65, he volunteered for many years aboard the William G. Mather, docked near the Great Lakes Science Center at the foot of E. 9th Street. Countless schoolchildren have memories of visiting with the distinguished captain with the white beard dressed in his impeccable Cleveland-Cliffs uniform. During World War II, Captain Anderson served as a Second Mate with the U.S. Merchant Marine taking Liberty Ships (small freighters) across the Atlantic with supplies for the war effort. 

Captain Anderson served as a Master on many of Cleveland-Cliffs ore-carrying ships, including the Cliffs Victory, the Cadillac, the Frontenac, the LaSalle, the Pontiac, the Walter A. Sterling, the Edward B. Greene and the William G. Mather. Known as “Heavy Weather Harry,” the legendary captain never “went to anchor” (stopped a ship) due to inclement weather. By keeping a watchful eye on conditions, he was always able to circumvent the worst of storms by making careful corrections.

The Veterans Recognition Ceremony was part of Hospice of the Western Reserve’s Peaceful & Proud initiative. Through the Hospice-Veteran Partnership of Ohio, the State of Ohio VFW provides a supply of state-shaped pins affixed to cards that read: “We pay special tribute to you for your military service to America by advancing the universal hope of freedom and liberty for all.” During a ceremony, always done one-on-one, each Veteran is approached and thanked for his or her service. Three generations of Captain Anderson’s family were in attendance for the special ceremony.

Born in Sweden on October 5, 1909, Captain Anderson’s family emigrated to the United States as third-class steerage passengers when he was ten years old. A talented singer, the enterprising youngster began to sing for his fellow passengers. Before long, he was invited to sing for the second class, and then the first class passengers. Eventually, he made his way to the bridge for an exclusive audience with the ship’s captain. By the time the ship arrived in America, his pockets jingled with donations from passengers of many lands.

About Hospice of the Western Reserve

Hospice of the Western Reserve is a community-based, non-profit agency providing comfort and emotional support to patients and their families. The agency cares for people in a variety of settings including the home, hospital, long-term care facility and at David Simpson Hospice House overlooking Lake Erie. Opening soon will be Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake. For more information, visit hospicewr.org or call 800.707.8922.

Contact our media team for patient and family stories, resources and to arrange interviews.

Jane VanBergen
Director of Communications and Public Relations
phone: 216.502.4450
cell: 216.701.1770
email: jvanbergen@hospicewr.org
17876 St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44110