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David Lawrence Andersen, 88, of Dewittville, NY, and formerly of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully at his home on Chautauqua Lake, Saturday August 8, 2026, with family at his side. He was born on October 20, 1937, in Corry, PA, the son of the late Lawrence and Cornelia Price Andersen.
In his career, David held administrative and management positions with AMSCO and The NWIRC, including over 35 years of part-time adjunct teaching experience for several regional colleges and universities. While at SUNY Empire State College, he was the recipient of the State-wide Excellence in Part-Time Mentoring award in 2018. David also worked for several years during the summer at Chautauqua Institution and conducted Small Business Development/Entrepreneurial workshops in conjunction with several regional economic development agencies. David served on the board for the Chautauqua Lake watershed and enjoyed attending events at the Lawson Center and listening to concerts at the Catholic House porch on the grounds of Chautauqua institution. His favorite hobby was sailing and boating on Chautauqua Lake. He owned many different types of sailboats including ice boats. He loved sailing the ice boat on Chautauqua and at Presque Isle on Lake Erie during the winters.
David grew up in Corry, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school in 1955, he served in the military and attended college at Gannon University in Erie, PA. He married Cherie Tillotson from Spartansburg in 1965, and they relocated to Erie to continue his graduate studies and career. He also attended Case Western Reserve University, achieving an Advanced Management Certification in 1974. After raising a family in Erie and spending summers on Chautauqua Lake, he and his wife permanently moved to the lake residence.
David is survived by his wife, Cherie of 61 years, his brother, Michael (Mickey) Andersen, who resides in Japan with his wife, Kimoko, a son, Patrick, who resides in Waterford, PA with his wife, Becky Graziano Andersen and a daughter, Paige Andersen Pingitore, who lives in Yarmouth, Maine with her husband, Chris Pingitore. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Brittany, Nate, Brooke, Meadow, Rachel, Jacob and three great granddaughters, Annabelle, Olivia and Alice. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kara, his brother George, and his parents.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Catherine Heath and the Hospice service for the loving care and comfort they provided.
A celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date. Arrangements are by Freay Funeral Home, LLC, Mayville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chautauqua Lake Association (429 E. Terrace Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750) or the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (71 East Fairmount Ave, PO Box 45, Lakewood, NY 14750).