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Ron "Malden Ron" Anderson ( above center and right), passed away Monday, October 24, 2005 at the age of 69, just a few hours prior to Willington Mara. Ron was the Founder, President and CEO of our New York Football Giants Fan Club of New England. He will be missed and never forgotten. RIP Ronnie.
Below are a number of testimonials sent in by club members and friends. Thank you.
Ironically, the last conversation that I had with Ronnie Anderson wasn't about the Giants...it was instead about accupunture and its cures in today's modern world. We were all at the Hilton in Dedham some months ago having breakfast and talking Giants talk and, at the end of that meeting, as I headed for the door, Ronnie pulled me aside and asked me some information about hollistic and alternative remedies. I had no idea that there would be a decline in his health so soon after that discussion. Like many Giants fans, Ron was made from tough stock. I saw him as a "come back kid", and like so many others, I took it for granted that he would rebound from this illness.
We all remember Ronnie warmly as our fearless leader...our "host" at the podium...the guy who was always leaning on one elbow with a the one-liners, grinning from ear to ear. My father (Tyler Day) was especially touched by Ronnie's warmth over the years. Especially all those years during Giants banquets when Ronnie would stand at the podium, call out names and seek out various people. "Where is Tyler Day?"...Ronnie would ask every year, as if on cue.
My dad would always respond humbly with a wave and a grin, so very proud that our "great leader" had remembered to acknowledge that he was in attendance.
At Ronnie's wake, which seemed so surreal, I realized that there were lots of other sides of him that I had never known, including his love for horses. Who would ever expect a guy from the streets of Malden to be a "horse guy"?
And Ronnie's close knit relationship with his family and his sister Glenn was another example of the kind of loyalty and devotion he was capable of. It reflected just how much heart and how much substance he truly had inside. When I saw his childhood picture on the photo collage at his wake, I realized how good time had been to him...I mean...his face hadn't changed at all. Even in his sixties, he looked so boyish and perhaps that's why he always seemed so approachable to so many of us.
And though our hearts are heavy at the loss of Ronnie, we can smile knowing that he will never again be burdened with the issue of our Big Blue games not being televised in Boston because he is now in a place where the reception for the Giants games is always clear.
Andi Hall Phinney (Operating Committee)
The thing I remember about Ronnie was his irreverent wit. He was very funny and when you were with him, you were funny too. Ronnie went out of his way to make everyone feel comfortable. The first time you met Ronnie, you were family, regardless if you were a Giants fan. It sure helped if you were. Ronnie, you were a Giant of a man and I'm sure your spirit will always be felt by us all.
The DeLucia Family
Here’s a little story on how I met Ron, this is going back to around 1987, I had heard of the NY Giants club previously. I was taking a walk one night in Malden with my wife, wearing my giants jacket, when my wife said to me I don't want to alarm you, but there is a car behind us inching along and this guy is staring at us. I turned around I noticed the front license plate, GIANT 1 . I approached the gentleman and I asked if he was Ron Anderson, and he promptly asked who I was, then saying he knows everyone who would wear a giant jacket. After conversing with him for a while, he invited me to go to the Giant’s game the next day! I also remember the get together at the hilltop and calling him on a Monday night after a Giants game. If we lost, he would be in this foul mood and say, I can't talk about the game tonight, call me Wednesday or Thursday.RON WAS TRULY THE GREATEST GIANTS FAN IN NEW ENGLAND!
ED ROBACZEWSKI
Very saddened to hear of Ron's passing. How ironic that the founder of the Giants club dies a day before W.Mara. I can't remember the exact date when I first met Ron, but it was at a Preseason game at Foxboro. He gave me the info about joining the club at that time. Please extend my condolences to his family.
Peter Capsalis
I want to extend our sincere sympathy. I go back to his voice on Guy Mainella Radio Show. We both loved The Giants thru good and bad seasons. Ron will be Missed.
The Cemach Family
Like many people I remember this guy calling up "Calling All Sports" on WBZ. Some caller referring to himself as "Malden Ron." He was funny, insightful, and a voice for our beloved New York Football Giants all through New England. I remember getting in touch with him and arranging a meeting with some other Giants fans at Foxboro, to see the Giants play the inferior local edition of a football team. Ron was as delightful in person as he was on the radio. Over the next few years I had the pleasure of going to several Giants' games at the Meadowlands. It was always a special time with a special person. When I saw him at several of the banquets he was always friendly to both me and to my father. I am so glad I got to know him. We will all miss him.
William Benson
A True Blue Giants fan that bled Giants Blue. A guy who loved to get together with other Giants Fans and talk Giants' football. I can still see him sitting at the head table at our annual banquet, kibitzing with everyone and smiling, always smiling. I feel like that place he use to sit at...well, the chair should be empty...so we can all still picture him there. Every member of the fan club will miss him, I am sure.
Gloria Robertson
Sandra and I have known Ronnie for over 20 years, as season ticket holders. The one moment I'll personally remember was while driving on Route 84 in CT, a white van pulled along side us, and Ronnie yells out to us if we were going to the game that day. We learned of this news, and we both have heavy hearts.
Steve & Sandra Bogosian
As an avid listener of talk radio, I recall many of Ronnie's calls to Guy Manella’s show on WBZ radio. Being a Giants fan in Worcester, I always enjoyed "Malden Ron's" calls, and as I never called Guy's show, Ronnie was speaking for me as well. It was many years later that I finally met the famous “Malden Ron" and he was like a celebrity to me. I must admit, seeing him yearly at the banquets was a primary reason I would drive from NJ or CT to see him and chat. No one loved the Giants more than him and I will always think of him, next to my late Dad, when I watch the Giants. As we think of him, he will never completely be gone. I will miss him.
Howard Levine
When someone passes away, there usually is an avalanche of wonderful things written and said about the person. Many of the things are true. In this case, in the case of this wonderful man, it’s all true. I won’t leave this earth thinking that he was one of the greatest New York Giant fans who ever lived; I will leave this earth knowing he was one of the finest people I have ever known in my life. There are people you frequently love to be around. In Ronnie Anderson’s case, I always wanted to be around him. When I made the Eli Manning trade and the world couldn't wait to tell me I over paid, it was a message left on my office phone from him that I will never forget. Who knows deep down if he thought I might have. That didn’t matter. What mattered was that he was a friend and critics be damned, he was going to stick with me and support me. That is the epitome of unconditional friendship. I miss him already and I will never forget this great man.
Ernie Accorsi
My best and earliest memories of Ron are from the days of the old sports huddle show with Eddie alderman on the radio on Sunday nights when the Giants won and the Pats lost would be the ultimate situation. Ron would call in to the show and proceed to kill Andelman, McCarthy and Witcomm. I can remember it like it was yesterday how happy Ron would be and how miserable he made the three stooges; he really reveled in those wins. I will always remember and cherish those days.
Joe Hyder
As a fan of "only" 63 years, I can't claim to predate Mr. Mara. Ron and Wellington may have ridden the same chariot to the great Meadowlands in the sky.
George Rollinson
My favorite memories of Ronnie are from the car rides when we used my van to go to Giants Stadium so many times. His Ronnieisms from “hey big guy” to the “Unquoteables”. His little “arguments” with Ralph and Sully on the insistence on listing the “Fan” (WFAN) all the way down, just so we could listen the “BT Express” (Billy Taylor) say “I Love the Giants”, The first night he took my son Andy and I to Giants Stadium to in “109” we had a few beers in the parking lot and with one still in our hands he insisted on going to the “Players Entrance”. I said “Ronnie we can’t do this” and he responded “just act like you know what you’re doin” and as he said “hi” to every security guard. We were in. There are SOOOO many quotes and stories, but to sum it up I’ll just say “I love Ronnie Anderson” I am blessed that he was a part of my life and I will never ever forget him.
Bob Chaffee
My story entails how Ron got my father and myself into the Giants Fan Club. He was always seeing this guy riding around Malden with a Giants License plate and wondering who he was. Ron found out it was my father and stopped by the house when my father was on the porch, and they would talk for hours about their Giants. Ron would go to the training camps and during the season and bring him back program or just talk about the game. Then he saw me with my license plate with “NYG XXI-XXV” and was wondering who that was. Needless to say he was happy that the Giants tradition was passed on from father to daughter!
He was such a nice person to my father and an all around great guy!!! When my father was in the nursing home and I had asked for something special for him. The Giants fan club delivered and Ron himself brought it to the nursing home, which made my father’s day!!!! I am sure Ron and my father are having great conversations about their G –Men!!! The Fan Club and his friends will sorely miss Ron. As with Wellington Mara, Ron will never be forgotten and will always be a GIANT FOREVER!
Patti Foley
It was Ronnie and Ralph that first welcomed me and introduced me into the fan club. He use to always say, “Hold your wallets, here comes the lawyer”, when he saw me. He was a fantastic person who always had a great sense of humor and much love for his fellow man. We will all miss him. My prayers are with Ronnie.
James Dilday
My friend Ron, he always would call me Big Guy, even though he knew my name. Whenever we met, no matter HOW MUCH IN A HURRY we both would stop to talk about the Giants. I went to several games with him at Giants Stadium and later going to games at the Yale Bowl and other Venues, this was certainly a treat, we would arrive early to greet the players as they entered the stadium and Ron would always take the time to introduce me to my Giant idols. RON will be missed! But as you can guess he probably has great seats with all the giant's players and fans that are there now. Ron will be MISSED!!!!
Dennis Fusco
Unfortunately I had not known Ron that well, only some brief discussions at some banquets. I offered my services to the Fan Club Operating Committee at the end of last season (2004) and Ronnie attended 2 of our Committee meetings which I was present. At the last meeting in the lobby of the Hilton hotel after the meeting was over, I remember thanking him for starting this Fan Club here in New England for this lonely Giants fan in Massachusetts. He gave a brief history of how it all came about. I enjoyed the conversation. I told him how my week is ruined when the Giants lose. He understood. He thanked me for volunteering my services to the club. We shook hands. That was the last time that I saw him.
Since I have joined the committee and hearing all the wonderful stories from the people that knew him well, as well as putting together this website and reading through all the testimonials that have been sent in, I do feel like I have known this man for years. I wish I had...
Barry Belotti (Operating Committee)
The last time I spoke with him was for about 10 solid minutes alongside Harry Carson at the
banquet....we were getting updated on the lastest doings about Coach Parcells.....Ron always took the time to come to our table and say hello to the "boys from Leominster".....My sincere prayers are with him and the family.
John Ciccolini
If you would like to send in a testimonial please send to:
bbelotti@giantsfcne.com
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