Obituary of Jerry HANSON

HANSON, Gerald (Jerry) John
June 10, 1942 - May 10, 2021 

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gerald John Hanson. He passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021 at the age of 78 years.

Jerry was truly a self-made man. He was born in Calgary and then raised in Drumheller until circumstances required him to leave school at an early age. Beginning as an apprentice insulator, his lifelong devotion to a job well done led him to a partnership in the company of George Money & Son and on to starting his own company in 1979. He and Judy successfully ran Hanson Insulation Limited for 33 years. 

He was a member of TIAA (Thermal Insulation Association of Alberta) and served in many capacities on the executive board. He was also a member of the MCA (Mechanical Contractors Association) and took great joy in organizing golf and curling tournaments, social events, and as an “Old Timer” serving as MC for their annual dinners. His contributions to the construction industry in Alberta were many and he was subsequently recognized with the Ted Walden Award for his efforts. He served on the CCA (Calgary Construction Association) board of directors for 13 years and in 1983 and 1984 was their treasurer and president respectively.

Being idle was not in Jerry's nature. He maintained his morning run for almost sixty years and could count on one hand the times he had missed it and tell you the reason why. He was fond of proclaiming he had run around the globe two and a half times. It still seems odd to see the word retirement in the same sentence as Jerry. In 2011, he allowed himself to “slow down” by volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society. He drove patients to the Tom Baker for treatments, feeling it just recompense for the care that he had received. He also donated his time to the Calgary Police Association as a business liaison in District 8. 

With all this free time he managed to squeeze in a few more rounds of golf with Judy and friends as a long-time member of Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. They were also members of Branting Swedish Lodge for many years where they made life-long friends. He and Judy were able to strike from the bucket list a visit to his father’s birthplace in Sweden. Among other high points of his short-lived retirement were winter trips to warmer climes and travels with friends to different parts of the world.

Helping others was second nature to GJ. He never failed to go out of his way to lend a hand or bring people together. With guitar in hand, he entertained at campfires, social, and family gatherings. A song interspersed with his one-of-a-kind wit and charm. He’d be the first to get a good laugh from one of his seemingly endless cache of jokes – Swedish accent bang on! His legendary handshake was known to catch more than a few off guard.

Jerry’s joy in life was his family and he took special delight in his grandchildren. He was a loving husband to Judy for 59 years, father to Sandra, Kelly and Geoffrey (Mary) and adored by his grandchildren Dylan, Tess, Wesley, Eddie and Hugo. He also leaves his twin sister, Deenie to mourn his passing.

If he gave you his friendship, it was yours for life. You will forever be in our hearts and may you finally rest peacefully.

We hope to gather and raise a glass to his memory when life returns to normal. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.  If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Foothills Country Hospice Society, P.O. Box 274, Okotoks, AB, T1S 1S1, Telephone: (403) 995-4673, www.countryhospice.org or to the charity of one’s choice. 

In living memory of Gerald Hanson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.