John R. Hansen

John Rogers Hansen, 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. John was born in Hartford in 1928, the second son of Milton and Marjorie Hansen. He moved from Wilson, CT to Manchester at age 9. He attended Hollister Street School and Manchester High School, graduating in 1945. John then attended the University of Connecticut, where he was a varsity swimmer and a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. Mr. Hansen was employed in various engineering capacities at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for 38 years. While at P&W, he earned a Master's degree in Finance from the University of Hartford. John was long active in amateur theater, serving as a past president of the Mark Twain Masquers. He had also performed with many area groups, including the Columbia and Coventry Players, Windsor Jesters, New Britain Rep., Company One, Oval In The Grove, and the Producing Guild. After his retirement in 1987, Papa John had been a volunteer narrator for Talking Books, a service of the Connecticut State Library for the blind, and had been a member the Hartford, Ellington, and Fort Myers chapters of the Harley Owners' Group. He was married to the late Elinor M. Dougan, with whom he raised two children. Mr. Hansen is survived by his son Martin Hansen of Manchester, who blessed him with a grandson, Nathan, and by his daughter Andrea and her husband Patrick Clancy of Manchester, who blessed him with two granddaughters, Sarah Billings of Manchester, and Siobhan Leonard of Vernon. He is also survived by Sarah's husband Bryon Billings and their two sons Braydon and Oscar, and by Siobhan's husband Matthew Leonard and their children Emily and Benjamin. He also leaves his long time friend and companion Mary Lou Pantaleo. Funeral services will be Friday, Aug.12, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. at Watkins Funeral Home 142 East Center St. Manchester. Burial will follow in East Cemetery Manchester. Family and friends may call prior to the service Friday Aug. 12 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, he had suggested that memorials benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater CT Chapter 659 Tower Ave.1st Floor Hartford, CT 06112-1269. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com



Visitation DetailsFriday, August 12th, 2016 10:30am - 12:30pm, Watkins Funeral Home
Service DetailsFriday, August 12th, 2016 12:30pm, Watkins Funeral Home
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery