AUBURN — James H. Hanson Sr., 92, of Turner, passed away Monday, March 26, at the Androscoggin Hospice House, with his family at his side.

James was born July 16, 1925, in Lewiston, to Harry and Josephine (Naviski) Hanson. James attended Lewiston schools, excelling in math and science. As a high school junior, he was selected to serve as the chemistry lab assistant at Lewiston High School for his upcoming senior year. Instead, called by the war efforts, James left school that fall to join the military, serving in the Army Aviation Division as a mechanic and flight engineer. During his tour of duty he completed his high school diploma, as well as a number of college courses at Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn.

Also a talented saxophonist, he played in both the Army Aviation Cadet Orchestra and its marching band. One of his greatest thrills was performing with the Cadet Marching Band at the annual Blue Gray game in Montgomery, Ala., on Christmas Day, in 1944. Upon James’ return from the service, he continued to play music in a number of local dance bands, including that of family member, Lennie Lizotte.

In 1949, he met Annie Caron at a dance hall in Lewiston, where James was performing. They began their more than 67 years of marriage in October 1950, first living in Auburn before building their home on the land next to Hanson Auto Sales in 1953-’54. The two also built a camp in 1968, on Little Wilson Pond in Turner, a summer cottage that served as a constant family focal point, first for their children and later their grandchildren. In 1995, they built their current residence on the Stone Road in Turner.

In 1947, James opened Hanson Auto Sales on Washington Street in Auburn. Late in 1950, he moved the business to its Route 4 location in Turner, where it continues to operate to this day. In addition to running his own business, James also helped his father, Harry, establish Hanson’s Service Station on the adjoining property to the auto sales. James worked alongside his dad until his younger brother, William, returned from his tour of service in Korea in 1956. James then began working the third shift at the Bates Mill, while continuing to run his auto sales business during the day. He worked first in the spinning room, then in the dye house as a chemist and finally, as “assistant overseer” for the shift. In 1968, he left the mill to run his car business full time and did so until 1988, when he turned operations over to his son, James Jr.

Upon his retirement from business, James and Annie began spending winters in Florida, first in Marion Oaks near Belleview, then later in Englewood. They enjoyed life as residents of the Sunshine State for more than 20 years, even as they always kept their ties to Turner and their family. In 2014, they returned to Turner to be nearer to their family full time.

James is survived by his wife, Annie, of Turner; son, James Hanson Jr., and his wife, Kathy, of Turner; son, Thomas Hanson, and his wife, Claire, of Fayette; daughter, Linda Hanson, of Auburn; grandchildren, James H. Hanson III of Livermore, Jayson Hanson of Lewiston, Jennie Hanson and her husband, Brian Hodgman, of Sabattus, Jared Hanson and his wife, Kerissa, of Auburn, Jordan Hanson and his wife, Jennifer, of Buckfield, Laura Wolgin and her husband, Michael, of Apex, N.C., and Rachel Groenhout and her husband, Erik, of Mount Vernon; great-grandchildren, Hailey, Maxwell, Makenzie and Carter Hanson, Mia, Lila and Milo Wolgin, and Willow and Hazel Groenhout. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Gilman, of Englewood, Fla.; and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Hanson, of Auburn.

He was predeceased by his brother, William Hanson (2015).

The Hanson family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Anita, Barbara and Donna of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice for the wonderful care James received during his final months.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

James H. Hanson Sr.

Copy the Story Link