Michael Anderson, 82, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away at Hospice Vaughan in Toronto, Canada on January 28, 2025. “Mike” had enjoyed living 6 months of every year in Florida and 6 months in Bolton, Canada but was unfortunately not able to return to Punta Gorda in October of 2024 due to his diagnosis with metastatic melanoma. Mike is survived by his wife of 57 years, Penelope Jean Anderson, and his daughter, Kerry Margaret Wiens and son, Russell Blyth Anderson. Mike was much loved by his four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mike was born December 20, 1942 in Salisbury, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Son of Ralph Blyth Anderson and Helena Elizabeth (Davel) Anderson, he was the brother of Bill Anderson, Edward Anderson, Ronald Anderson, Helena Anderson and David Anderson. Mike grew up in Salisbury attending primary school and participating in many family excursions within Rhodesia and also to South Africa. He participated faithfully in the local scouting chapter in his neighbourhood and became a competent youth leader in the movement. Mike completed his secondary education in 1960 at Churchill High School, Salisbury (now Harare, Zimbabwe) where he often competed for first place in the academic standings. He went on to graduate with a B.Sc. (Chemical Engineering) in 1964 from the University Of Cape Town, South Africa. A highlight of his educational pursuits was the participation in the Advanced Management Program in 1982 at Harvard University Graduate School of Business sponsored by TA Holdings.

Professionally, Mike worked in the chemical fertilizer industry from 1965 to 1969 in Sasolburg, South Africa. He undertook the commissioning of an electrolytic plant to produce ammonia for ammonium nitrate fertilizers at Sable Chemicals, in Que Que (Kwe Kwe), Zimbabwe from 1970 to 1977. Mike joined the Blue Ribbons Foods company in Salisbury (Harare) Zimbabwe, where he quadrupled sales through acquisitions and mergers to create the second largest food company in the country over the period 1977 to 1982. In 1980 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the TA Holdings Group, of which Blue Ribbon Foods was a part.

Mike emigrated to Canada in 1984 with his family where he established Michael Anderson Management Consultancy in Ottawa, Ontario primarily within the high tech sector. From 1994 to 1996 he was consultant to VP Artistic Impressions, Chicago, IL and Sir-Tech Software, Ogdensburg NY USA. In 1997 he purchased a boat rental operation in conjunction with a gift shop on Lime Tree Bay, Long Key, in Florida Keys. In his retirement, Mike was involved in part time consulting for small businesses as well as enjoying the quiet of a canal side home on Pine Island. He was devastated when a hurricane in 2022, destroyed this piece of paradise that he cherished.

A good friend has called Mike resilient. She said that throughout many years she has seen Mike reinvent himself over and over again through much challenge and adversity. To that compliment Mike would respond, “I just take the next step and look for something solid to stand on.” Mike has exemplified the African spirit of resilience throughout most of his life. His contributions will continue to live on in his absence.

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