Obituary of Gary W. Anderson

Gary Willam Anderson, 72, passed away peacefully on Monday May 12, 2025 surrounded by the love of his family.

Gary leaves behind a legacy of deep love and laughter. He is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of 40 years, Cheryl Anderson; his son Tony Scuturo and fiancée Mindy Arthur, his daughter Nevada-Dawn Anderson and son-in-law Andrew Eggers; and his beloved grandchildren, Alyssa, Anderson, and Arrietty.

Born on July 24, 1952, at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Chelsea, MA, Gary was the eldest son of Ben and Doris Anderson. He was raised in Tewksbury, MA, alongside his eight siblings. They lived on Miles Rd, and moved to the family farm on Maple St where they had pigs, chickens, horses, a steer, a goat and other pets thru the years. Gary owned horses and enjoyed horseback riding with friends and family. He also lived in Malden, MA with a group of friends with whom he kept some life-long friendships.

From an early age, Gary worked side by side with his father in the salvage business, learning the value of hard work. Over the years, he wore many hats. During High school, He worked at Ralph Jackson American Gas Station in Burlington, MA and later as a mechanic with Patkin Cadillac in Medford, MA. Eventually, Gary returned to work with his father and later took over the family business A&T Auto. He also worked as a heavy equipment operator and, in the later part of his career, contributed to environmental cleanup efforts on Superfund sites. Gary held multiple specialty licenses and took great pride in everything that he did.

A majority of people in his life knew him as “Space”.  Space loved to ride. He owned motorcycles thru the years, his 1st being a Harley Davidson Flathead. When Space first met Cheryl in 1985, she was tending bar at a local biker bar. He turned to his lifelong friend, Jimmy, and declared, “I’m going to marry that girl!”
Cheryl had a young son, Tony, and from the very beginning, Space stepped into the role of a father with love, commitment, and a full heart. In 1989, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Nevada-Dawn. Their bond only grew stronger, and in 1990, they were married—sealing a love story that had already become a lifelong partnership.

Gary was a loving father. He was endlessly proud of his kids - teaching Tony how to turn a wrench at the junkyard and cheering on Nevada-Dawn at nearly every dance performance. He was a cherished grandfather—lovingly called “Space” or “Beeza”—he found immense joy in his growing family.

Gary and Cheryl shared a love for travel and the open road. They rode cross-country to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally twice and cruised to destinations like Bermuda, Belize, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada. He found peace in warm waters, snorkeling, and joy in caring for the garden and yard of their home in Billerica, MA.
He will be remembered not only for his generous spirit and adventurous soul but also for his unforgettable storytelling and the way he could light up a room with laughter.
Gary's spirit lives on in the stories shared, the lessons passed down, and the hearts of those who loved him. He was truly one of a kind.

Flowers may be sent to Burns Funeral Home in Billerica, MA by Wednesday, May 21.