Saskatoon lost one of the best of the best with Al Anderson’s passing on July 2 at the age of 92. He touched the city in many ways as a businessman and a volunteer, especially as an advocate for those with physical and intellectual disabilities. The inspiration for much of Anderson’s volunteer work came after his son, Doug, was born with cerebral palsy. Doug was born in 1960 and died in 2013.

“At this time there were almost no services available to children with special needs. This led to a lifetime commitment of creating services and opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, being a founding member of Elmwood Residences, Cosmopolitan Industries, and the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute,” his family wrote in his obituary. He was also among the group which launched the RIKI Walkathon. Funds from the walkathon supported Camp Easter Seal at Little Lake Manitou. The camp opened in 1954 and is still providing a camping experience for those with disabilities. “I don’t think people realize how much he has done for the City of Saskatoon,” former Saskatoon mayor Don Atchison told CKOM. “He’s the type of person that really made the city shine. “He was a phenomenal singer, a great motivational speaker as well, and just a tremendous person,” Atchison said.

Anderson was born in Langham on April 27, 1932. His family moved to Saskatoon when he was in Grade 1. He attended Caswell and Montgomery elementary schools and Bedford Road Collegiate. Sports played a large part in Anderson’s life. He opened Athletic Equipment in 1955. It evolved into Al Anderson’s Source for Sports. He was a sponsor of the Bedford Road Invitational Basketball tournament, an organizer of the 1971 Canada Winter Games, and a supporter of Huskie athletics at the University of Saskatchewan. He married Joan, his wife of 67 years in 1955. The two met as teenagers in Watrous. She was at his side —and vice versa — for many of the successes in business and volunteerism.

Anderson received a number of honours over the years, including the CTV Saskatoon Citizen of the Year award, the Howard Stensrud Spirit of Cosmo award, the B’nai Brith We Are Proud of You award, and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. He was inducted into the SABEX Hall of Fame, and received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022. “Obviously not everybody finds the same satisfaction in serving, but I’ve always found it to be incredibly satisfying and fulfilling,” he once said in an interview with the StarPhoenix. “The reward many times for me is seldom in the victory but in the battle. Honestly, I don’t remember many wins but I remember a lot of the battles.”

Anderson is survived by his children Jackie (Harry) Smith, Gillian (Eric) Grisdale, Bodie and Archie Grisdale, Zach, Logan (Emily); Judy (David) Jahnke, Elisabeth, Daniel and Annelise; Karen (Pat) Kelly, Julia and Stephen; Kirk (Shauna) Anderson, Jenna and Luke; his brother Morris. He was predeceased by his loving wife Joan, his son Doug, his parents Clarence and Alma, his brothers Ray (Marj), Cliff (Betty), Russ (Audrey), sister-in-law Betty, and brother-in-law Bruce.