Roland W. Anderson, Jr.

Retired Weston Deputy Police Chief Roland W. "Rollie" Anderson, Jr., of Waltham, died suddenly at his home on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. He was 83.

He was born in Waltham on February 28, 1943, a son of the late Roland W., Sr. and Marjorie A. (Porteus) Anderson. A lifelong Waltham resident, Rollie graduated from Waltham High School and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Western New England College and his master's degree in criminal justice from Anna Maria College.

In 1969 Rollie joined the Weston Police Department, where he served the town for four decades, rising through the ranks from patrolman to detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. He retired in 2008 as Deputy Chief of Police.

The department noted in a statement that “Throughout his distinguished career, Rollie earned a reputation that extended far beyond Weston. Widely respected and known nationwide for his incredible knowledge, investigative instincts, and extensive network of connections, Rollie was regarded as one of the finest old-fashioned “shoe-leather” detectives of his time.”.

Rollie was a perfectionist when it came to his yard work, and he loved driving all over the USA, visiting almost all fifty states. He and Carol spent several winters at Marco Island, Florida. Above all, he treasured his family and never missed his grandchildren's events and sporting games. He also adored his three beloved "grand-dogs," Brownie, Blackie and Betty White.

He was the beloved husband of Carol A. (Cooper) Anderson, devoted father of Marjorie J. Lydon and her husband, Gregory, of Blackstone, Karen M. Hofferty and her husband, Daniel, of Franklin, Waltham Police Officer Richard E. Anderson and his wife, Shauna and Mary L. Sawyer and her husband, Stephen, all of Framingham. loving grandfather of Gabrielle Vendetti and her husband, Jeffry, Matthew Lydon and his fiancé, Caroline Gallagher, Brendan Hofferty and his wife, Bella, Sean Hofferty, Kellie Hofferty, Brooke Anderson and Bryce Anderson, the proud great-grandfather of Cora Vendetti and the brother of Dale Froton and her husband, Richard of Maryland.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rollie's life by gathering for an Afternoon Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Saturday, November 7th from 12 noon to 2 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be private.