Bernard (Bernie) Anderson passed away January 10, 2014 following a brief illness. Bernie was born in May of 1942 to Bernard and Beatrice (Keogh) Anderson of Sparks, NV. Bernie attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School and graduated from Bishop Manogue High School and the University of Nevada. At UNR, he was active in Sigma Nu fraternity and numerous student groups.
Bernie started his 31 year teaching career at Trainer Middle School, continued at Wooster High School, and concluded at Reed High School. Bernie was active in the Washoe County Teachers Association (WEA) and the Nevada State Education Association, serving as a Board member as well as officer in both organizations. He also served as Nevada's representative to the National Education Association's Board of Directors.
In 1990 Bernie was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. During his more than 20 years representing Sparks, Bernie held many leadership positions, including Majority Whip, Chairman of Judiciary and Speaker Pro Tempore. Of the many items he sponsored or worked upon, he was proudest of the creation of the Drug Courts and his work on education and domestic abuse. One of the strongest characteristics of his leadership was the ability to build compromise and do what was right for Nevada.
Following his retirement from the legislature Bernie continued to advocate for retired public employees through RPEN and WEA-R. In addition to political and education activities, Bernie served in the Nevada National Guard, was involved in the Sparks Charter Committee, the Knights of Columbus, and the Democratic Party.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 46 years Clyda (Hooper), daughters Cairn (Eric) Lindloff, Natha Clyde Anderson, two grandsons (Connor and Teague) brother Ed and his wife Lani and several nieces and nephews.
A vigil will be held Friday, January 17 at Immaculate Conception Church (2900 North McCarran Boulevard, Sparks) with viewing from 6-7 followed by service and remembrances starting at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the UNR Foundation Scholarship being set up in Bernie's name, or the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice .
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Jan. 14 to Jan. 15, 2014
*************************************
Hundreds turn out for funeral of longtime Sparks Assemblyman Anderson
More than 800 people packed Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday for the funeral of longtime Assemblyman and teacher Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks.
The crowd included Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, gaming icon John Ascuaga and a host of politicians, lobbyists, lawyers and educators.
At the end of the funeral mass, they all joined to sing Nevada's state song, "Home Means Nevada," as Anderson's casket was rolled out of the church.
On Friday, about 350 people attended a vigil and rosary for Anderson at Immaculate Conception.
"The number of people here was just fantastic," said Ed Anderson, Bernie's brother. "And the support they showed for Bernie was greatly appreciated by me, personally, and by all of the family."
Anderson had a 20-year career in the Legislature, holding a position of influence as chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2009.
He died last week at 71 after suffering pulmonary problems. He entered Renown Regional Medical Center on Dec. 26 and never returned home.
Many politicians from Las Vegas attended services, including former Assembly Speakers Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, and Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.
Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller was also in attendance, as were two noted Republicans: state Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, and Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey, R-Reno.
Many in the crowd had been involved in Assembly Judiciary issues over the years. Others had been former high school students of Anderson's.
Anderson taught government and history for 32 years in the Washoe County School District at Wooster and Reed high schools. Anderson was a staunch supporter of education at the Legislature, said lawyer/lobbyist Matthew Sharp, who gave the eulogy.
"It is amazing to me that we don't have a school named after Bernie Anderson, because Bernie was all about education," said Sharp.
Sharp noted Anderson was a sticker for decorum in his Assembly Judiciary Committee. Anderson's pet peeve was the cellphone. If yours accidentally rang during Bernie's committee meeting, you could be in for a scolding.
"Bernie had a thing for cellphones; he hated them," Sharp said. "You just didn't have your cellphone on. And one day in the committee room, a cellphone started ringing. So everybody was looking around asking, ‘Who's phone is it?'
"And it turned out to be Bernie's," Sharp said.
The crowd roared with laughter. Sharp continued:
"I didn't even know Bernie had a cellphone."
And the crowd roared with laughter again.
It was the funniest moment of an otherwise somber ceremony.
Rev. George Wolf, who celebrated the funeral Mass, told the crowd that he had given Anderson the Sacrament of the Sick twice while he was in the hospital. Both times, Anderson was in a deep sleep and unaware of his presence.
Yet Wolf noted something miraculous during the second time while his family members were crowded around Anderson's hospital bed.
"He seemed to be in a deep sleep and had not spoken a word to any of us, as we were in the room with him," Wolf said. "After I anointed him with the sign of the cross, I looked down at Bernie and while we were saying the Lord's Prayer, he was saying the Lord's Prayer with us, mouthing the words.
"What a great blessing for all of us present," Wolf said.
Wolf noted that Anderson was a beloved member of the Immaculate Conception Church from the time he was an altar boy until the day he died. Wolf said he had known Anderson for 50 years.
"God loves this man," Wolf said of Anderson.
Guy Rocha, the archivist emeritus of Nevada, said Anderson's legacy will live on after his death.
Rocha predicted after the funeral that Anderson will soon be inducted into the Nevada Assembly Hall of Fame.
"Many legislators come and go, with that body (Assembly) in particular," Rocha said. "There are 42 (assembly members). That's a lot of people. Some of them will be forgotten very readily. Bernie will be remembered. Bernie will have a legacy, and we are here to celebrate it today."
Anderson was a graduate of Bishop Manogue Catholic High School and the University of Nevada, Reno. He noted in an 2008 "Nevada Newsmakers" interview that he wrote keno tickets to support himself through college.
He said then that early in life, he never saw himself with an 20-year career as a state lawmaker.
"No, I wanted to be a Catholic priest," Anderson said. "I ended up going to college and majoring in political science and history."
Anderson said in interviews that he was inspired as a high school student by Democratic President John F. Kennedy. His office at the Legislature included a photo on the wall of JFK, taken by Sparks photographer George Kerr, when Kennedy once came to Reno in the early 1960s.
Anderson was proud of his parents, who came to Sparks from Ireland. Anderson was proud that he was a first-generation Irish-American. "Danny Boy," was one of the songs sung at the funeral.
"I was inspired by my parents," Anderson said in 2008. "They were hardworking immigrants that instilled involvement in us to make a difference."
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to a UNR Foundation Scholarship in Anderson's name, the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or another charity.
Bernie started his 31 year teaching career at Trainer Middle School, continued at Wooster High School, and concluded at Reed High School. Bernie was active in the Washoe County Teachers Association (WEA) and the Nevada State Education Association, serving as a Board member as well as officer in both organizations. He also served as Nevada's representative to the National Education Association's Board of Directors.
In 1990 Bernie was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. During his more than 20 years representing Sparks, Bernie held many leadership positions, including Majority Whip, Chairman of Judiciary and Speaker Pro Tempore. Of the many items he sponsored or worked upon, he was proudest of the creation of the Drug Courts and his work on education and domestic abuse. One of the strongest characteristics of his leadership was the ability to build compromise and do what was right for Nevada.
Following his retirement from the legislature Bernie continued to advocate for retired public employees through RPEN and WEA-R. In addition to political and education activities, Bernie served in the Nevada National Guard, was involved in the Sparks Charter Committee, the Knights of Columbus, and the Democratic Party.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 46 years Clyda (Hooper), daughters Cairn (Eric) Lindloff, Natha Clyde Anderson, two grandsons (Connor and Teague) brother Ed and his wife Lani and several nieces and nephews.
A vigil will be held Friday, January 17 at Immaculate Conception Church (2900 North McCarran Boulevard, Sparks) with viewing from 6-7 followed by service and remembrances starting at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the UNR Foundation Scholarship being set up in Bernie's name, or the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice .
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Jan. 14 to Jan. 15, 2014
*************************************
Hundreds turn out for funeral of longtime Sparks Assemblyman Anderson
More than 800 people packed Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday for the funeral of longtime Assemblyman and teacher Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks.
The crowd included Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, gaming icon John Ascuaga and a host of politicians, lobbyists, lawyers and educators.
At the end of the funeral mass, they all joined to sing Nevada's state song, "Home Means Nevada," as Anderson's casket was rolled out of the church.
On Friday, about 350 people attended a vigil and rosary for Anderson at Immaculate Conception.
"The number of people here was just fantastic," said Ed Anderson, Bernie's brother. "And the support they showed for Bernie was greatly appreciated by me, personally, and by all of the family."
Anderson had a 20-year career in the Legislature, holding a position of influence as chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2009.
He died last week at 71 after suffering pulmonary problems. He entered Renown Regional Medical Center on Dec. 26 and never returned home.
Many politicians from Las Vegas attended services, including former Assembly Speakers Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, and Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.
Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller was also in attendance, as were two noted Republicans: state Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, and Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey, R-Reno.
Many in the crowd had been involved in Assembly Judiciary issues over the years. Others had been former high school students of Anderson's.
Anderson taught government and history for 32 years in the Washoe County School District at Wooster and Reed high schools. Anderson was a staunch supporter of education at the Legislature, said lawyer/lobbyist Matthew Sharp, who gave the eulogy.
"It is amazing to me that we don't have a school named after Bernie Anderson, because Bernie was all about education," said Sharp.
Sharp noted Anderson was a sticker for decorum in his Assembly Judiciary Committee. Anderson's pet peeve was the cellphone. If yours accidentally rang during Bernie's committee meeting, you could be in for a scolding.
"Bernie had a thing for cellphones; he hated them," Sharp said. "You just didn't have your cellphone on. And one day in the committee room, a cellphone started ringing. So everybody was looking around asking, ‘Who's phone is it?'
"And it turned out to be Bernie's," Sharp said.
The crowd roared with laughter. Sharp continued:
"I didn't even know Bernie had a cellphone."
And the crowd roared with laughter again.
It was the funniest moment of an otherwise somber ceremony.
Rev. George Wolf, who celebrated the funeral Mass, told the crowd that he had given Anderson the Sacrament of the Sick twice while he was in the hospital. Both times, Anderson was in a deep sleep and unaware of his presence.
Yet Wolf noted something miraculous during the second time while his family members were crowded around Anderson's hospital bed.
"He seemed to be in a deep sleep and had not spoken a word to any of us, as we were in the room with him," Wolf said. "After I anointed him with the sign of the cross, I looked down at Bernie and while we were saying the Lord's Prayer, he was saying the Lord's Prayer with us, mouthing the words.
"What a great blessing for all of us present," Wolf said.
Wolf noted that Anderson was a beloved member of the Immaculate Conception Church from the time he was an altar boy until the day he died. Wolf said he had known Anderson for 50 years.
"God loves this man," Wolf said of Anderson.
Guy Rocha, the archivist emeritus of Nevada, said Anderson's legacy will live on after his death.
Rocha predicted after the funeral that Anderson will soon be inducted into the Nevada Assembly Hall of Fame.
"Many legislators come and go, with that body (Assembly) in particular," Rocha said. "There are 42 (assembly members). That's a lot of people. Some of them will be forgotten very readily. Bernie will be remembered. Bernie will have a legacy, and we are here to celebrate it today."
Anderson was a graduate of Bishop Manogue Catholic High School and the University of Nevada, Reno. He noted in an 2008 "Nevada Newsmakers" interview that he wrote keno tickets to support himself through college.
He said then that early in life, he never saw himself with an 20-year career as a state lawmaker.
"No, I wanted to be a Catholic priest," Anderson said. "I ended up going to college and majoring in political science and history."
Anderson said in interviews that he was inspired as a high school student by Democratic President John F. Kennedy. His office at the Legislature included a photo on the wall of JFK, taken by Sparks photographer George Kerr, when Kennedy once came to Reno in the early 1960s.
Anderson was proud of his parents, who came to Sparks from Ireland. Anderson was proud that he was a first-generation Irish-American. "Danny Boy," was one of the songs sung at the funeral.
"I was inspired by my parents," Anderson said in 2008. "They were hardworking immigrants that instilled involvement in us to make a difference."
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to a UNR Foundation Scholarship in Anderson's name, the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or another charity.
Bernard (Bernie) Anderson passed away January 10, 2014 following a brief illness. Bernie was born in May of 1942 to Bernard and Beatrice (Keogh) Anderson of Sparks, NV. Bernie attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School and graduated from Bishop Manogue High School and the University of Nevada. At UNR, he was active in Sigma Nu fraternity and numerous student groups.
Bernie started his 31 year teaching career at Trainer Middle School, continued at Wooster High School, and concluded at Reed High School. Bernie was active in the Washoe County Teachers Association (WEA) and the Nevada State Education Association, serving as a Board member as well as officer in both organizations. He also served as Nevada's representative to the National Education Association's Board of Directors.
In 1990 Bernie was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. During his more than 20 years representing Sparks, Bernie held many leadership positions, including Majority Whip, Chairman of Judiciary and Speaker Pro Tempore. Of the many items he sponsored or worked upon, he was proudest of the creation of the Drug Courts and his work on education and domestic abuse. One of the strongest characteristics of his leadership was the ability to build compromise and do what was right for Nevada.
Following his retirement from the legislature Bernie continued to advocate for retired public employees through RPEN and WEA-R. In addition to political and education activities, Bernie served in the Nevada National Guard, was involved in the Sparks Charter Committee, the Knights of Columbus, and the Democratic Party.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 46 years Clyda (Hooper), daughters Cairn (Eric) Lindloff, Natha Clyde Anderson, two grandsons (Connor and Teague) brother Ed and his wife Lani and several nieces and nephews.
A vigil will be held Friday, January 17 at Immaculate Conception Church (2900 North McCarran Boulevard, Sparks) with viewing from 6-7 followed by service and remembrances starting at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the UNR Foundation Scholarship being set up in Bernie's name, or the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice .
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Jan. 14 to Jan. 15, 2014
*************************************
Hundreds turn out for funeral of longtime Sparks Assemblyman Anderson
More than 800 people packed Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday for the funeral of longtime Assemblyman and teacher Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks.
The crowd included Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, gaming icon John Ascuaga and a host of politicians, lobbyists, lawyers and educators.
At the end of the funeral mass, they all joined to sing Nevada's state song, "Home Means Nevada," as Anderson's casket was rolled out of the church.
On Friday, about 350 people attended a vigil and rosary for Anderson at Immaculate Conception.
"The number of people here was just fantastic," said Ed Anderson, Bernie's brother. "And the support they showed for Bernie was greatly appreciated by me, personally, and by all of the family."
Anderson had a 20-year career in the Legislature, holding a position of influence as chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2009.
He died last week at 71 after suffering pulmonary problems. He entered Renown Regional Medical Center on Dec. 26 and never returned home.
Many politicians from Las Vegas attended services, including former Assembly Speakers Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, and Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.
Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller was also in attendance, as were two noted Republicans: state Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, and Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey, R-Reno.
Many in the crowd had been involved in Assembly Judiciary issues over the years. Others had been former high school students of Anderson's.
Anderson taught government and history for 32 years in the Washoe County School District at Wooster and Reed high schools. Anderson was a staunch supporter of education at the Legislature, said lawyer/lobbyist Matthew Sharp, who gave the eulogy.
"It is amazing to me that we don't have a school named after Bernie Anderson, because Bernie was all about education," said Sharp.
Sharp noted Anderson was a sticker for decorum in his Assembly Judiciary Committee. Anderson's pet peeve was the cellphone. If yours accidentally rang during Bernie's committee meeting, you could be in for a scolding.
"Bernie had a thing for cellphones; he hated them," Sharp said. "You just didn't have your cellphone on. And one day in the committee room, a cellphone started ringing. So everybody was looking around asking, ‘Who's phone is it?'
"And it turned out to be Bernie's," Sharp said.
The crowd roared with laughter. Sharp continued:
"I didn't even know Bernie had a cellphone."
And the crowd roared with laughter again.
It was the funniest moment of an otherwise somber ceremony.
Rev. George Wolf, who celebrated the funeral Mass, told the crowd that he had given Anderson the Sacrament of the Sick twice while he was in the hospital. Both times, Anderson was in a deep sleep and unaware of his presence.
Yet Wolf noted something miraculous during the second time while his family members were crowded around Anderson's hospital bed.
"He seemed to be in a deep sleep and had not spoken a word to any of us, as we were in the room with him," Wolf said. "After I anointed him with the sign of the cross, I looked down at Bernie and while we were saying the Lord's Prayer, he was saying the Lord's Prayer with us, mouthing the words.
"What a great blessing for all of us present," Wolf said.
Wolf noted that Anderson was a beloved member of the Immaculate Conception Church from the time he was an altar boy until the day he died. Wolf said he had known Anderson for 50 years.
"God loves this man," Wolf said of Anderson.
Guy Rocha, the archivist emeritus of Nevada, said Anderson's legacy will live on after his death.
Rocha predicted after the funeral that Anderson will soon be inducted into the Nevada Assembly Hall of Fame.
"Many legislators come and go, with that body (Assembly) in particular," Rocha said. "There are 42 (assembly members). That's a lot of people. Some of them will be forgotten very readily. Bernie will be remembered. Bernie will have a legacy, and we are here to celebrate it today."
Anderson was a graduate of Bishop Manogue Catholic High School and the University of Nevada, Reno. He noted in an 2008 "Nevada Newsmakers" interview that he wrote keno tickets to support himself through college.
He said then that early in life, he never saw himself with an 20-year career as a state lawmaker.
"No, I wanted to be a Catholic priest," Anderson said. "I ended up going to college and majoring in political science and history."
Anderson said in interviews that he was inspired as a high school student by Democratic President John F. Kennedy. His office at the Legislature included a photo on the wall of JFK, taken by Sparks photographer George Kerr, when Kennedy once came to Reno in the early 1960s.
Anderson was proud of his parents, who came to Sparks from Ireland. Anderson was proud that he was a first-generation Irish-American. "Danny Boy," was one of the songs sung at the funeral.
"I was inspired by my parents," Anderson said in 2008. "They were hardworking immigrants that instilled involvement in us to make a difference."
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to a UNR Foundation Scholarship in Anderson's name, the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or another charity.
Bernie started his 31 year teaching career at Trainer Middle School, continued at Wooster High School, and concluded at Reed High School. Bernie was active in the Washoe County Teachers Association (WEA) and the Nevada State Education Association, serving as a Board member as well as officer in both organizations. He also served as Nevada's representative to the National Education Association's Board of Directors.
In 1990 Bernie was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. During his more than 20 years representing Sparks, Bernie held many leadership positions, including Majority Whip, Chairman of Judiciary and Speaker Pro Tempore. Of the many items he sponsored or worked upon, he was proudest of the creation of the Drug Courts and his work on education and domestic abuse. One of the strongest characteristics of his leadership was the ability to build compromise and do what was right for Nevada.
Following his retirement from the legislature Bernie continued to advocate for retired public employees through RPEN and WEA-R. In addition to political and education activities, Bernie served in the Nevada National Guard, was involved in the Sparks Charter Committee, the Knights of Columbus, and the Democratic Party.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 46 years Clyda (Hooper), daughters Cairn (Eric) Lindloff, Natha Clyde Anderson, two grandsons (Connor and Teague) brother Ed and his wife Lani and several nieces and nephews.
A vigil will be held Friday, January 17 at Immaculate Conception Church (2900 North McCarran Boulevard, Sparks) with viewing from 6-7 followed by service and remembrances starting at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the UNR Foundation Scholarship being set up in Bernie's name, or the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice .
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Jan. 14 to Jan. 15, 2014
*************************************
Hundreds turn out for funeral of longtime Sparks Assemblyman Anderson
More than 800 people packed Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday for the funeral of longtime Assemblyman and teacher Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks.
The crowd included Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, gaming icon John Ascuaga and a host of politicians, lobbyists, lawyers and educators.
At the end of the funeral mass, they all joined to sing Nevada's state song, "Home Means Nevada," as Anderson's casket was rolled out of the church.
On Friday, about 350 people attended a vigil and rosary for Anderson at Immaculate Conception.
"The number of people here was just fantastic," said Ed Anderson, Bernie's brother. "And the support they showed for Bernie was greatly appreciated by me, personally, and by all of the family."
Anderson had a 20-year career in the Legislature, holding a position of influence as chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2009.
He died last week at 71 after suffering pulmonary problems. He entered Renown Regional Medical Center on Dec. 26 and never returned home.
Many politicians from Las Vegas attended services, including former Assembly Speakers Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, and Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.
Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller was also in attendance, as were two noted Republicans: state Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, and Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey, R-Reno.
Many in the crowd had been involved in Assembly Judiciary issues over the years. Others had been former high school students of Anderson's.
Anderson taught government and history for 32 years in the Washoe County School District at Wooster and Reed high schools. Anderson was a staunch supporter of education at the Legislature, said lawyer/lobbyist Matthew Sharp, who gave the eulogy.
"It is amazing to me that we don't have a school named after Bernie Anderson, because Bernie was all about education," said Sharp.
Sharp noted Anderson was a sticker for decorum in his Assembly Judiciary Committee. Anderson's pet peeve was the cellphone. If yours accidentally rang during Bernie's committee meeting, you could be in for a scolding.
"Bernie had a thing for cellphones; he hated them," Sharp said. "You just didn't have your cellphone on. And one day in the committee room, a cellphone started ringing. So everybody was looking around asking, ‘Who's phone is it?'
"And it turned out to be Bernie's," Sharp said.
The crowd roared with laughter. Sharp continued:
"I didn't even know Bernie had a cellphone."
And the crowd roared with laughter again.
It was the funniest moment of an otherwise somber ceremony.
Rev. George Wolf, who celebrated the funeral Mass, told the crowd that he had given Anderson the Sacrament of the Sick twice while he was in the hospital. Both times, Anderson was in a deep sleep and unaware of his presence.
Yet Wolf noted something miraculous during the second time while his family members were crowded around Anderson's hospital bed.
"He seemed to be in a deep sleep and had not spoken a word to any of us, as we were in the room with him," Wolf said. "After I anointed him with the sign of the cross, I looked down at Bernie and while we were saying the Lord's Prayer, he was saying the Lord's Prayer with us, mouthing the words.
"What a great blessing for all of us present," Wolf said.
Wolf noted that Anderson was a beloved member of the Immaculate Conception Church from the time he was an altar boy until the day he died. Wolf said he had known Anderson for 50 years.
"God loves this man," Wolf said of Anderson.
Guy Rocha, the archivist emeritus of Nevada, said Anderson's legacy will live on after his death.
Rocha predicted after the funeral that Anderson will soon be inducted into the Nevada Assembly Hall of Fame.
"Many legislators come and go, with that body (Assembly) in particular," Rocha said. "There are 42 (assembly members). That's a lot of people. Some of them will be forgotten very readily. Bernie will be remembered. Bernie will have a legacy, and we are here to celebrate it today."
Anderson was a graduate of Bishop Manogue Catholic High School and the University of Nevada, Reno. He noted in an 2008 "Nevada Newsmakers" interview that he wrote keno tickets to support himself through college.
He said then that early in life, he never saw himself with an 20-year career as a state lawmaker.
"No, I wanted to be a Catholic priest," Anderson said. "I ended up going to college and majoring in political science and history."
Anderson said in interviews that he was inspired as a high school student by Democratic President John F. Kennedy. His office at the Legislature included a photo on the wall of JFK, taken by Sparks photographer George Kerr, when Kennedy once came to Reno in the early 1960s.
Anderson was proud of his parents, who came to Sparks from Ireland. Anderson was proud that he was a first-generation Irish-American. "Danny Boy," was one of the songs sung at the funeral.
"I was inspired by my parents," Anderson said in 2008. "They were hardworking immigrants that instilled involvement in us to make a difference."
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to a UNR Foundation Scholarship in Anderson's name, the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or another charity.
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