Joseph Peter Anderson

Joseph Peter Anderson, a beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away unexpectedly on August 4, 2026, at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in Northern California after complications from a fall while walking his beloved dog, Maddy. Born on September 23, 1949, in Prescott, Arizona, Joe was a cherished son of Martha and Novian Anderson. His life was a testament to love, humor, and service to others.

Joe grew up in Prescott, Arizona, and attended St. Joseph’s Academy and Sacred Heart School. After his family moved to Tempe in 1962, Joe attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and ultimately graduated from Brophy College Preparatory in 1967. He continued his education, graduating from Arizona State University in 1970 as a proud Sun Devil. Later in life, Joe was honored by his alma mater in 2006 when he received the Stuart A. Westbury, Jr. Community Leadership Award for outstanding leadership in the healthcare industry.

Joe admired World War II veterans, in large part because of his close connection to his father and his two uncles. He demonstrated his commitment to his country through his years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves. His father’s and uncles’ selfless bravery made a profound impact on him, inspiring him to acquire a World War II-era C-53 Skytrooper airplane, “The Spirit of Benovia.” Joe restored the plane and flew to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019. As part of that journey, Joe shared his plane with World War II veterans from across America. He often said that when those revered veterans entered the plane, they became 19 years old again. Reflecting on those poignant moments, Joe would say, “You can see it in their eyes.” He enjoyed hearing every single one of their stories. It was all captured in the documentary, “Into Flight Once More.”

Professionally, Joe made significant contributions to the Arizona state government, dedicating 17 years of his career to public service. His last role, assigned by Governor Bruce Babbitt to address the failing Medicaid system, was as Deputy Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. It became a model for managed healthcare in states across the country by rebuilding Arizona’s health plan for the poor and creating a new model for cutting costs while providing high-quality care. Working with Dr. Don Schaller, they also extended coverage to pregnant women and children who lived below the federal poverty level. Their program became a model for other states.

In 1986, alongside his business partners, Dr. Schaller and P.J. Davis, Joe co-founded Schaller Anderson, a healthcare management company. Schaller Anderson had more than 1,700 employees nationwide and served 1.3 million people. It was acquired by Aetna in 2007. Joe deservedly felt enormous pride in the professional work he accomplished.

His entrepreneurial spirit continued in the early 2000s when Joe and his wife, Mary Dewane, embarked on a new adventure by establishing Benovia Winery in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. There, they produced award-winning vintages and cultivated a new community of friends and wine enthusiasts. In 2002, they purchased and preserved Cohn Vineyard, one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in Sonoma County, and in 2005, they began making their own wine under the Benovia name, which honors both of their fathers: Ben and Novian.

Joe married his best friend, Mary Dewane, in 2004. Together, they shared 22 beautiful years, marked by their joint passion for family, philanthropy, community service, and wine. As co-chairs with Jean-Charles Boisset of the 2015 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, they raised $4.5 million to support literacy programs in Sonoma County. In 2016, Mary and Joe were honored as Winery Owners of the Year by the North Bay Business Journal, which covers the wine industry in Sonoma and Napa. In the aftermath of the devastating 2017 Northern California wildfires, Joe inspired Benovia Winery’s customers, friends, and family to donate $400,000 to Sonoma County Fire Relief Funds. His leadership and philanthropic contributions are far too numerous to include, but the Central Arizona Shelter Services, the Monsignor Edward J. Ryle Fund, the Archdiocese of New York, the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Maricopa Health Foundation, the Barrow Neurological Institute, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute have all benefited enormously from Joe’s vision and limitless generosity.

A man of faith, Joe was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Parish. He lived his life with humor, warmth, and dedication to service. Never one to seek credit for his contributions, Joe quietly professed his faith through generous philanthropy and moral leadership. Joe’s love for adventure was apparent in his hobbies. He was a pilot, cyclist, vintage car collector, avid reader, and enthusiastic traveler. Joe’s love of animals was reflected in his owning multiple dogs and his cherished horse, W.A.M.

Joe leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and extraordinary generosity. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and his children, Debbie (Mark) Anderson, Jacob (Jennifer) Anderson, and Monica (John) Finnegan. Joe is also survived by Martha Anderson, the loving Mother of their children. His proudest role was that of a grandfather to seven wonderful grandchildren: James, Rebecca, Juliet, Josiah, Joseph, Abigail, and Michaela. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary (Bob) Carzoli, Mike (Sandy) Anderson, and George (Mimi) Anderson, and many nieces and nephews. They each carry a piece of his heart.

Visitation and Rosary Service will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a 6:00 PM Rosary at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

Immediately following Mass, there will be a reception at the Martha and Novian Anderson Hall, lovingly named for Joe’s parents. The Hall is adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Barrow Neurological Institute, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Joe’s family extends their deepest gratitude to the nurses at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for the compassionate care they provided to Joe. Joe Anderson will be remembered not only for his many accomplishments but also for his unwavering love, his dedication to service, and his infectious sense of humor. He will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.