Obituary for Joshua Anderson
Josh Anderson
Josh brightened this world when he was born on June 8, 1990. A beautiful baby, with blonde hair, blue eyes, dimples, and cherub lips that would grow into a mischievous grin as he grew, Josh was also big, weighing 9lbs 12 ounces. He’d grow into a tall and fit 6’2” man with an infectious laugh that would start with a giggle until everyone else was caught laughing too.
Josh loved the outdoors. As a baby he would happily munch on dirt, but as a boy he could be found in the trees. He had tree forts, tree houses, tree platforms, and tree rope swings. He even fell out of some trees. But he’d be right back up there, planning his next tree adventure. In summer he spent his time on the lake in Kenora and in Nestor Falls, going tubing, fishing, and enjoying one of his favourite activities: cliff jumping. Not one to back down from some fun, Josh was the first to jump from the highest cliff and would plunge into the lake just grinning. Not faint of heart, Josh relished flying in float planes on the lake, went bungee jumping in Toronto, and beamed the whole way down the Tower of Terror at Disneyland while everyone else screamed.
Josh loved to live simply and spend time with family and friends. Some favourite memories are of Josh helping the guys at hunt camp and quadding and fishing with them on Oak and Alfred lakes. As a summer baby, Josh had epic birthday parties with water gun fights, sprinklers, swimming, and lots of friends to celebrate with. Josh loved action movies, music, and books—he was a voracious life-long reader, enjoying fantasy and the adventures of wizards and crime-fighters. In winters Josh loved to toboggan behind the snowmachine and build snow forts. He also played hockey—he was a natural, with an easy glide and quick hands. But he was far more likely to try and engage you in conversation and have a laugh than to take it too seriously. He loved being around his teammates and coaches and travelling to tournaments.
Josh enjoyed the comradery of working with others. He spent his career constructing homes and was skilled in building foundations. He had ambitions to be a paramedic. He was humble but always took great pride in his work. He developed many friends and mentors along the way.
Josh was kind. He had a big heart and felt deeply. He would wrap his arms around you in a hug and would easily give you his friendship and his love. He shared his life’s journey with so many wonderful friends who he cherished, and a family who loved him deeply.
The latter part of Josh’s life was filled with hardship. Like so many others in our community, Josh suffered from a substance use disorder that eventually took his life when he died of an overdose on April 20, 2023. Josh’s battle was a difficult time for his family and friends, but most of all for Josh as he struggled with the illness.
Josh shared his life with so many of us. He leaves behind his mom and dad, Julie and Garry Gerbrandt, his sister Ricki-Lee and brother-in-law Jordan, his brother Darren and sister-in-law Jenny-Lynn, his four young nephews, his dad Ken Anderson and grandma Leone Anderson, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Josh was and is loved.
A celebration of life will be held for Josh at his parent’s home in Kenora on June 8, 2023 at Beauty Bay Golf Course - 62 Beauty Bay Drive. Come and share a memory with us between 2pm and 5 pm.
Northridge Funeral home entrusted with arrangement.
Josh brightened this world when he was born on June 8, 1990. A beautiful baby, with blonde hair, blue eyes, dimples, and cherub lips that would grow into a mischievous grin as he grew, Josh was also big, weighing 9lbs 12 ounces. He’d grow into a tall and fit 6’2” man with an infectious laugh that would start with a giggle until everyone else was caught laughing too.
Josh loved the outdoors. As a baby he would happily munch on dirt, but as a boy he could be found in the trees. He had tree forts, tree houses, tree platforms, and tree rope swings. He even fell out of some trees. But he’d be right back up there, planning his next tree adventure. In summer he spent his time on the lake in Kenora and in Nestor Falls, going tubing, fishing, and enjoying one of his favourite activities: cliff jumping. Not one to back down from some fun, Josh was the first to jump from the highest cliff and would plunge into the lake just grinning. Not faint of heart, Josh relished flying in float planes on the lake, went bungee jumping in Toronto, and beamed the whole way down the Tower of Terror at Disneyland while everyone else screamed.
Josh loved to live simply and spend time with family and friends. Some favourite memories are of Josh helping the guys at hunt camp and quadding and fishing with them on Oak and Alfred lakes. As a summer baby, Josh had epic birthday parties with water gun fights, sprinklers, swimming, and lots of friends to celebrate with. Josh loved action movies, music, and books—he was a voracious life-long reader, enjoying fantasy and the adventures of wizards and crime-fighters. In winters Josh loved to toboggan behind the snowmachine and build snow forts. He also played hockey—he was a natural, with an easy glide and quick hands. But he was far more likely to try and engage you in conversation and have a laugh than to take it too seriously. He loved being around his teammates and coaches and travelling to tournaments.
Josh enjoyed the comradery of working with others. He spent his career constructing homes and was skilled in building foundations. He had ambitions to be a paramedic. He was humble but always took great pride in his work. He developed many friends and mentors along the way.
Josh was kind. He had a big heart and felt deeply. He would wrap his arms around you in a hug and would easily give you his friendship and his love. He shared his life’s journey with so many wonderful friends who he cherished, and a family who loved him deeply.
The latter part of Josh’s life was filled with hardship. Like so many others in our community, Josh suffered from a substance use disorder that eventually took his life when he died of an overdose on April 20, 2023. Josh’s battle was a difficult time for his family and friends, but most of all for Josh as he struggled with the illness.
Josh shared his life with so many of us. He leaves behind his mom and dad, Julie and Garry Gerbrandt, his sister Ricki-Lee and brother-in-law Jordan, his brother Darren and sister-in-law Jenny-Lynn, his four young nephews, his dad Ken Anderson and grandma Leone Anderson, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Josh was and is loved.
A celebration of life will be held for Josh at his parent’s home in Kenora on June 8, 2023 at Beauty Bay Golf Course - 62 Beauty Bay Drive. Come and share a memory with us between 2pm and 5 pm.
Northridge Funeral home entrusted with arrangement.