Obituary of RICHARD (DICK) HANSEN

RICHARD (DICK) HANSEN June 14, 1940 - February 28, 2015 Dad passed away at the Grace Hospital with his family by his side after a brief but courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was predeceased by his sister, Beverly Lawrence (1977), parents Norvald Hansen (1993) and Anna Schiffner (1989), and his late wife, Anne (2008). He leaves behind a large and loving family: Beloved wife, Cathy (nee: Moore), Sons from a previous marriage, Rick (D'Anne), Brad (Sharon), Ron, Curtis (Heather), Jon (Tammy) and Step-son Tim (Julie) Lancaster; Grandchildren Richard (Samantha), Tyler, Dylan, Kaitlyn, Madison, Laura, Christopher, Calvin & Alexis; Sisters Carrie Hansen and Judy Carr and their families. He also leaves behind many loving friends, especially Greg (Laura) Miskiewicz. His teasing gregarious personality, big laugh and loving supportive presence will leave a huge hole in our lives and will be sorely missed by all of us. Dad was born in Duchess, Alberta June 14, 1940 and was raised in Calgary. He joined the Canadian Navy in 1958 where he served for 5 years. He settled in Winnipeg and joined Winnipeg Hydro where he worked for 31 years until his retirement in 1994. He lived his life with his faith in God and love of family as the absolute top priorities. The first to offer any of the kids or grandkids a ride "on the way" no matter how out of the way it was. Always the one driving any of us to or picking us up from the airport no matter the ridiculous time of the flight. No favour too big to ask, he would never say no. Babysit, housesit, petsit, pick grandkids up, drop them off, fix things ... whatever was needed he gave if he could. He spent many years coaching his own kid's hockey teams and spent countless hours traveling all over to sit in all types of weather to watch his grandkids play sports or perform in school concerts & plays. Always saying what a privilege it was to be able to. As busy as that kept him, he still found time to go to his friend, Greg's son's hockey games. Even in the darkest of days, when he was so ill, he said over and over that he was blessed to have such a family to love and be loved by and a God that was right by his side. Dad's love of travel, discovered during his days in the Navy, was able to be rediscovered years later during the many trips and cruises with Cathy. They were able to go on 3 cruises in the past 6 years, to Alaska, Hawaii and the Eastern/Western Caribbean and enjoyed countless trips all over Canada, particularly enjoying the East Coast. He thoroughly enjoyed regular gatherings with his friends. The first Wednesday of every month with his fellow retirees from the Winnipeg Hydro at the Viscount Gort and every Tuesday afternoon with his many friends from Grant Memorial church at Tim Horton's. Over the years, Dad served his church in many capacities including being a brigade leader, ushering & acting as a greeter. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff on the 3rd floor of the Grace Hospital for their compassionate care during Dad’s days there. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 2:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Flowers are gratefully declined but those that desire to do so may make a donation in memory of Richard Hansen to the Manitoba Lung Association.