Joseph Hansen

Joseph Charles Hansen, Jr. age 74, of Millcreek, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Golden Living Western Reserve.

He was born in Erie on March 21, 1942, a son of the late Joseph C. Hansen, Sr., and Grace Chaffee Hansen Dodson.

Joseph was a 1961 graduate of McDowell High School and went on to receive a degree in Toolmaking from Williamsport Technical Institute.

He was employed through the years at Andmore Tool and Die, Erie Die Co., HY-Tech Tool and Design, and was also the owner of Hansen’s Bait Shop which was founded by his father, and closed in 2006 after 62 years of family ownership.

He was a former member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.

Joseph was a member of East Erie Turners, Siebenburger Club, Moose Club, Cascade Club and the S.O.N.S of Lake Erie. He was an officer in the NW PA Duck Hunter’s Association, and was involved in the Duck’s Unlimited and Trout Unlimited organizations. He also volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

Joseph loved fishing, his bait shop and all of his customers. You could find him on the beach every day catching minnows. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Anna and Paul Zerbe and Annie and Jacob Hansen; his step father, Frank Dodson; a brother, Edwin P. Hansen; an aunt, Nevada Swailes; an uncle, Ed Hansen and a cousin, Sean Swailes.

He is survived by his children, Cynthia M. (Keith) Nowakowski of Erie, Mark J. Hansen (Kate Moody) of Knoxville, TN, and Andrea L. (Kenneth) Kensill of Erie; two grandchildren, Kasey and Khloe Kensill; a uncle, W. Jack Swailes of Waterford; an aunt, Roberta Hansen of FL; and many cousins in Ohio and Florida. He is further survived by his former wife, Janet (Barrow) Hansen of Erie.

The family would like to thank the staff at Golden Living Western Reserve, especially Michelle Dean, and AseraCare Hospice for the loving care and support they gave to Joseph.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Saturday, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service there at 5:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the S.O.N.S of Lake Erie, P.O. Box 3605, Erie, PA 16508.