1919 – 2016

ST. CLOUD, Fla. —

, 96, of St. Cloud, Fla., and Clearwater Lake in Industry died unexpectedly at his home in Florida on Sunday, June 12.

Paul was born in Mercer on Aug. 29, 1919, to Nils and Kristina (Kellgren) Anderson. Paul grew up and spent his childhood in Mercer. He attended area schools and graduated from high school in 1937.

His early career varied from farming, wood cutting and roofing to becoming a lineman for the power company. He helped repair the vast damage to the electric grid caused by the Great Labor Day hurricane of 1938. From childhood, his hobby was watch repair, which later became his lifelong profession.

In 1941, he met Wilma F. Gilbert and they were married in 1942. Paul served as a mechanic in the Second Division 37th Field Artillery Battalion seeing action at D-Day and later at the Battle of the Bulge. He served in the European Theater through the end of World War II.

In 1948, Paul accepted a position with L.G. Trask Jewelers of Farmington as a watchmaker. In 1955, he bought the business and operated Trask Jewelers in Farmington with his wife, Wilma, until their retirement in January 1981, at which time the business was sold to their son, John.

Paul enjoyed 35 years of semi-retirement. He spent his fall and winter seasons in St. Cloud, Fla., where he repaired watches for the local population and was held in high regard for his efforts. His summers were spent on Clearwater Lake at the family cottage, which served as a gathering place for family and friends.

Paul is survived by his three children, Larry Anderson of Renton, Wash., Judy Anderson Brust and husband, Robert, of Marriotsville, Md., John Anderson of Temple; his five grandchildren, Rebecca and Judd Anderson of Renton, Wash., Jennifer Brust Gleason and husband, Sean, of Methuen, Mass., Kristina Brust Unger and husband, Brian, of Westminster, Md., Thomas Anderson and wife, Britny, of Auburn.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his wife, Wilma, on Jan. 31, 2006.