Marblehead Current staff
Harry Andersen, 75, was a caring friend, brother, father, grandfather, and godfather. He left this world after a brief illness on Dec. 29, 2022, surrounded by close friends.
Harry was born to Rolf and Carol Andersen on Jan. 28, 1947 in Mount Cisco, New York. After graduating from high school, Harry chased his dreams and graduated from Clarkson University in 1968. Harry continued to see his frat brothers annually and was thrilled to attend his 50th college reunion!
Harry enjoyed a long and successful career as a sought-after finance executive, working until his retirement in 2017. He held leadership roles at General Electric, Lotus Development Corporation and Fidelity Investments. He was the chief financial officer for several startups guiding them through successful mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his retirement, Harry was the chief financial officer of Wash Depot Holdings, Inc. and always enjoyed telling people “he worked at a car wash” when asked what he did for a living. He loved his last job. Over the years, his work commitments offered Harry the opportunity to travel and work abroad. He loved exploring new destinations and making friends in every corner of the globe.
Harry spent many years living in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where he raised his only child, his daughter, Kristin.
Harry took advantage of every opportunity to be on the water. He was a longstanding and active member of the Boston Yacht Club, where he raced his sailboats, Black Watch and Rhapsody. He skippered his yacht to victories in numerous ocean races and completed many regattas, including the prestigious Marblehead to Halifax and several Figawi’s. He also took a sabbatical and cruised the Caribbean. In the late ‘90s, Harry moved to Charlestown and lived aboard Rhapsody at Constitution Marina. In 2014, he traded his sails for power and began living aboard his motor yacht, Sequel. He enjoyed two BYC cruises on Sequel, one to Sag Harbor and one to Maine. He loved his time living in Charlestown and supporting the Courageous Sailing Center. He enjoyed eating out in Boston’s North End and attending the Red Sox and Celtics games. Harry loved his Red Sox! While living in New England, Harry also enjoyed seeing the Boston Symphony Pops and read every John Grisham book ever published. When not on the water, Harry was an avid golfer and runner.
In 2017, Harry relocated on Sequel to Delray Beach, Florida. He brought his boat back and forth to Marblehead accompanied by his best mate for a couple of years before deciding to stay in the South year-round and he became a full time Florida resident. He loved living in Delray and quickly made an amazing group of close friends. He was so happy they traveled North with him this past summer to spend what turned out to be his final Fourth of July in Marblehead and at a Red Sox game. The fourth was Harry’s favorite holiday and he always welcomed friends to join him in the festivities.
Harry is survived by his daughter, Kristin Santeusanio, granddaughter, Olivia Flint, brother, Rolf Andersen, and sister, Laura Lefevre. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Eileen Andersen.
A celebration of Harry’s life will be held at a later date. Donations in Harry’s memory can be made to: Courageous Sailing, 197 8th St., Charlestown, MA 02129.
I am saddened by the death of my longtime friend and fellow Boston Yacht Club member. I’ve known Harry for decades and would be surprised when he would pop up in places like Newport, the Abaco Islands, Nantucket while we were vacationing and there would come Harry on his boat entering the harbor…that always brought a chuckle to us. He loved anything to do with the sea and made friends everywhere he sailed. He had many friends at the club and will be miss by all who knew him.