GARDNER, Mass. – Harry E. Hanson, 88, of 37 Winslow St., formerly of Pittsfield, went to be with the Lord, after dying quietly at home early Sunday morning, Sept. 19, 2004. He was born July 13, 1916, in Skowhegan, on the son of Llewellyn and Gussie (Cole) McGuire. At the age of five, his birth parents died suddenly and he was adopted and raised by Edgar and Elizabeth (Blair) Hanson, in Pittsfield. Harry married Verna (Merrithew) June 16, 1946, in Cherryfield. In addition to his wife, he leaves two sons, the Rev. Dr. Robert Hanson of Plymouth, Mass., and Sterling Hanson of Carver, Mass.; four daughters, Elizabeth Frasier of Plymouth, Mass., Sharon Ringuette of Gardner, Mass., Bonnie Jean Gulliver of Palm Beach, Fla., and Bonnie Chris LeBlanc of Northport, Fla.; a brother, Gordon Dewar of Canada; a sister, Dorothy Edwards of California; 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. A brother, Henry McGuire; and a sister, Mabel Daggett predeceased him. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, in the First Baptist Church, 14 High St., Gardner, Mass. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, in the Village Cemetery, Pittsfield, followed by a gathering at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Earle Randall, 1 Orchard St., Pittsfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 14 High St., Gardner, MA 01440. Smith Funeral Home of Gardner is in charge of arrangements.
HARRY E. HANSON
