Paul Malcolm Anderson

Paul Malcom Anderson, 65, of Lake Barrington, passed away peacefully at his home with family at his side on September 8, 2021. He was born October 18, 1955 in Chicago to Ralph and Donalda Anderson.

Paul is survived by his siblings Robin Mahaffey (Tom), Kirk Anderson, Christina Anderson (David Larew) and Glen (Suyapa) Anderson; cousins James Beebe, Jeff Beebe and Andrew Trushinski; nieces and nephews, Siri (Jacob) Eisen, Tyler and Max Mahaffey, Ian Anderson (Jessica Jakubowski), Laura Anderson, Sandy (Rob) Harmon, and Peter and Matthew Anderson; and great-nieces and nephew, Ezra, Adelise, Zulema and Xiomara. He was preceded in death by his parents, step father Ted Koerner and cousin Holly Beebe.

Paul attended Countryside School in Barrington Hills and Barrington High School where he developed lifelong friendships and discovered his passions for photography and ceramics. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and became a Certified Public Accountant. Shortly after graduating, he worked as a staff accountant for a local company. But he wasn’t cut-out for the corporate world. He decided to take the road less traveled. His calling was in the arts and in gardening. He produced an immense collection of extraordinary ceramic pottery. When he wasn’t doing pottery, he was gardening, where his fellow gardeners dubbed him “the man with two green thumbs.”

His fascination with photography began in grade school and continued to develop. His eye for composition, including lighting, shadows, and backgrounds, and his ability to capture candid shots of family will forever be treasured for generations to come.

He was also witty and wry- sarcasm was his signature, familiar brand of humor among family and friends.

One of Paul’s greatest pleasure in life was spending two months a year in Puerto Vallarta with our wonderful stepfather Ted. They had many friends there and loved the Mexican culture, art, sunshine and restaurants. They gifted us all with fabulous Huichol art and much more. Our lives have been made richer by Paul’s various interests.

And his love for music, from big band jazz to rock and roll always played an important role in his life. In recent years, he developed a fondness for Frank Sinatra. And, like Mr. Sinatra sang in the song “My Way,” Paul did life “his way.”

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 12 p .m. Saturday, September 25, at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St. (Lake Cook Rd.), Barrington. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Barrington.

Paul loved being surrounded by flowers. Also, memorial donations, in Paul’s name, may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.