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We embrace the mission and message of the Democratic party that anyone, from any walk of life, should have a fair shot at the American Dream.
We believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls.
Rest in Peace, Terry
Our Remembrances of Terry Anderson, former chair of OCDC.
Bill Speiden: Terry Anderson was a catalyst in activating the Orange Democrats and a major factor in taking us from a “pass the hat” organization to a group of active members who actually go by the rules and are more of a presence in Orange County. Thank you, Terry!
Sandra Smith: We were shocked and saddened to hear recently of the passing of our old friend and colleague, Terry Anderson. We were still meeting in the Town of Orange Community Room when we met Terry. I believe it was February 2017. He walked into our meeting early enough to pick up his coffee and donut and I thought to myself, “That guy looks familiar.” He smiled at me and said, “Hi! I’m Terry Anderson.” A little taken aback, I replied, “THE Terry Anderson?” He laughed and said, ““Yes, THE Terry Anderson.” Of course my reply was, “I loved your book!” And with a polite “Thank you very much,” he sat down to join the meeting. By the end of that hour he had joined a committee and had volunteered to sell tickets for the upcoming Legislative Dinner.
Terry Anderson was definitely a mover and a shaker. He helped with multiple events that year and even volunteered for CD7 delegate. When Scott Ruffner ran for Committee Chair, Terry volunteered to serve as co-vice chair with Jim Donovan. These were heady days if you remember – the Women’s March on Washington, and the appearance of candidates like Amy Laufer and Abigail Spanberger who challenged the new regimes in both Washington and Richmond. When Scott Ruffner had to move out of Orange County, Terry stepped up to finish his term and did a remarkably good job continuing the modernization of the OC Dems. Terry believed we needed a stronger and better-organized precinct system, as well as standing committees for publicity, outreach, events, communications, and technology. He encouraged us to step up and take responsibility for those jobs. Early in 2019 we were able to move from the Community Room into our new digs on Chapman Street, giving us much wider visibility and influence in the community and Terry certainly was a part of the change for us.
I’m sure Terry’s fame and his willingness to share his story were assets to us as an organization, but that’s not why we will remember him so fondly. It was his charm, his easy friendly manner, his passion for truth and love for his family, and yes, those intensely great cooking skills that made him so special. When Terry’s term as Chair was about to end, he told us that his daughter Sulome was returning home from Japan and wanted to buy a place in rural New York where she would work and they could live together. You could see the happiness in his face, his dream come true. His choice was obvious, he had to leave us, but we will always be grateful for what he left behind.
His Obituary
Terry Anderson, October 27, 1947 – April 21, 2024, the reporter held hostage for six years, dies at 76. As the Beirut bureau chief for The Associated Press, he was kidnapped in 1985 by Islamic militants. 📷Mr. Anderson taught at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, the University of Kentucky, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and the University of Florida. In addition to his daughter Sulome, he is survived by his second wife, Madeleine Bassil, whom he married in 1993; another daughter, Gabrielle Anderson, by his first wife, Mihoko Anderson; a sister, Judy Anderson; and a brother, Jack. ~The New York Times
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