Harry Edward Hansen

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Harry passed from this life on March 26, 2012, in his 78th year, at home, in the presence of family and the dearest of friends.rnBorn in Camden in 1934 and raised in Palmyra, Harry graduated from Camden Catholic High School and LaSalle College. Upon his return from army service in the 31st Infantry Regiment in Korea in 1957, he became a member of the Catholic Young Adult Club. Although he joked that his mother made him join to find a wife, that is precisely what happened. He met a young woman from Riverside named Margaret “Peg” (nee Potts). Together their lives were blessed by their children: Damian of VA, Marcianne Moe (Nelson) of VA, Marc of Newtown, PA and Melissa Myers (Dave) of WI, and again by their grandchildren: Grace, Erik and Ross Hansen and Charlie, Abigail and Caroline Myers. Harry is also survived by his sister Mary Field of Bergenfield, brothers Hugh (Barbara) of Haddonfield and Michael (Tricia) of Palmyra, maternal aunts Naomi Sandy of Merchantville and Joan Hernandez (Raul) of FL, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.rnA principled man, Harry knew that no proper decision was ever made from a swivel chair; right was right and wrong was wrong. There was never a need for endless rationalization. But loyalty to principle never made him self-righteous; to him humility was a paramount virtue. He instilled these values in his children. An avid outdoorsman, he consistently reminded them to appreciate the wonders of God’s creation and how small we were in its majesty. He was emphatic that they all attend college and taught them to persevere to excel. His hard work paid off; he took pride in his children’s accomplishments, especially when his two sons chose to serve in the military. rnCome celebrate Harry’s extraordinary life Friday from 6-8 PM and Saturday 9-10 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 10:30 AM at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church (St. Peter’s Site), Riverside. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society 101 Middleton St. Riverside, NJ 08075.rn