Harley Anderson died peacefully in Nashua, New Hampshire on March 28, 2026. He is survived by three children, Susan Anderson Watts, Kenneth Anderson, and Lisa Cianciolo, nine grandchildren, Joshua, Benjamin and Rachel Watts, Katrina and Erik Anderson, and Abby, Lars, Annika and Britta Cianciolo, and a great grandson, Shep. He is predeceased by his wife, Carole Haugh Anderson, who died in January 2025.

Harley was born May 2, 1936 in Stockholm, Maine, a Swedish farming community in Aroostook County, to Martin and Ruth (Olson), being the sixth of seven children. The family moved to Belmont, Massachusetts when Harley was in kindergarten, and Harley went to Belmont public schools, played numerous sports, and met a spirited blonde who would become his wife of nearly sixty-six years. The couple married in 1959. Harley attended Northeastern University in Boston, earning his BS and MBA on an Army ROTC scholarship. Soon after welcoming their daughter Susan in 1962, Harley began his military service in the US Army. He was stationed at Ft Gordon, Ft Benning and Ft Bragg, where their son Ken was born in 1964.  After leaving active service Harley and Carole and their family returned to the Boston area, and Harley began his career in academia, as an instructor and later Assistant Dean of the College of Business at Northeastern.  During this time the family welcomed their daughter, Lisa in 1967. He attended night school at Suffolk University Law School and, while still teaching at Northeastern, began a law practice, which he transitioned to full time in 1974.  He was also instrumental in starting the business curriculum at Gordon College, in Wenham, MA, teaching accounting, marketing, and business law for the next decade. 

After thirty years of law practice he retired and enjoyed more time with his wife and family, which now included 9 grandchildren. Harley and Carole were actively involved in church communities throughout their lives. While raising their children in Lexington, MA, they were an integral part of Grace Chapel. When they left Lexington, they were active at Heritage Park in Burlington, MA, serving as greeters for years. After they moved to Hollis, NH, they found Trinity Baptist Church in Nashua, which was their spiritual home for the last years.

Harley was fond of his Swedish heritage and northern Maine roots. He was proud of his military service. He loved teaching and counseling, any way he could help people. He loved to fish, camp and travel. Most of all he was devoted to his wife and cherished his family. He will be deeply missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to Harley’s Celebration of Life service on May 2, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 3 Lund Road, Nashua, NH.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through https://trinitynh.org/give to the Carole Anderson Memorial youth scholarships by selecting the fund in the drop down menu.