Interview of Laurie Anderson

Jan 11 2012 Laurie Hamilton Anderson (b.1947 in Glasgow) is the youngest of five children (three sisters and one brother). His father, David Vernon Anderson (b.1910/1911 (approx.) in Glasgow), was one of eight children. Although never in active service, David was in the army in the Second World War (his brother died in service). An employee of Scottish Legal Life Assurance Company, he also served as the superintendent of the first non-sectarian youth club in inner city Glasgow. He spent his evenings there in Maryhill teaching boxing and ballroom dancing. Laurie's mother, Agnes (née) Robertson (b.1920s (approx.) in Glasgow), was one of six children and a social worker with impoverished Glaswegian families. Both of Laurie's parents were politically involved, devoting their time to various social justice committees and causes. While Laurie's father was also a devoted soccer coach (before a leg injury he had been a professional soccer player), his mother enjoyed reading Agatha Christie novels. With the exception of a few early ancestors from Ireland and England, the majority of Laurie's family were born and raised in the Glasgow area. Laurie grew up in a house the royal borough of Rutherglen where he attended Calderwood Primary and Rutherglen Academy (at sixteen he dropped out of school to contribute to the family income). His family, albeit poor, was close to each other. His parents were musical and Sunday evening sing-a-longs were a regular occurrence (many of Laurie's siblings are involved in the theatre). Every summer the Anderson children accompanied their parents to the one-week camp for inner-city children that they led and, later in the summer, the Anderson family would go on their own two-week beach holiday in Girvan. Laurie remembers going every summer for at least ten to eleven years. Rich Uncle John and Uncle Bill the electrician were Laurie's two favourite relatives. At age fifteen (possibly sixteen) Laurie met his wife, Nancy Mason, at a Glaswegian dance hall. His first girlfriend, they married in December 1964 and left in May of the following year for Canada. With a two month-old baby and neither a job in Vancouver nor much money, Laurie describes them as "very immature…naïve…and innocent." After six months in Vancouver, a homesick Nancy returned to Scotland, meanwhile, Laurie stayed another half-a-year to work at Scott Paper Ltd. and repay their loan. However, after five days back in Glasgow, Laurie returned to Canada House and within three months they had returned to Vancouver permanently (Laurie's sister and her family later immigrated to the United States). Laurie resumed work at Scott Paper (for a total of ten years) and, with his factory salary, they were able to buy a house in Coquitlam. Laurie and Nancy had two sons together: Dean and Scott (both of whom now have children of their own). After thirteen years they divorced, both remarried and are still good friends (Laurie and his second wife later divorced). While leading tours at Scott Paper, Laurie realized his passion for teaching, he returned to school, finishing his high school education and then enrolling part time at Douglas College. In 1977 Laurie completed his teacher training, this led to a permanent full-time position with the Coquitlam School District. For thirteen years Laurie taught Grade Seven Math and English at Anmore Elementary and Westwood Elementary. After serving as a school principal, Laurie returned to SFU for his Masters and finally his PhD in Educational Leadership. In 1992 he became the district principal of curriculum for the Vancouver School District (later serving as the Director, Associate Superintendent, and Acting Superintendent). Eighteen years later, Laurie assumed his current position as the Executive Director of the SFU Vancouver campus. Laurie's feelings of "Scottishness" revolve around his tendency towards being "judgemental and Scottish" and his sense of humour. He is very proud of his heritage, but is neither very involved in local Scottish events/groups nor makes an effort to fill his house and life with "Scottish things" (i.e. tartan, books, music). He believes that his family would vote in favour of an independent Scotland in the 2014 Referendum. When asked about his biggest satisfactions in life, Laurie listed his childhood, his children and grandchildren, and the opportunities (esp. jobs) given to him throughout his life.