James “Jim” Harry Hanson Jr.

TURNER – Jim was born on Oct. 26, 1952, to James Sr. and Annie (Caron) Hanson. He was the oldest of Jim Sr. and Annie’s three children. Jim got the car bug early in life, growing up on his father’s used car lot and his grandfather’s service station next door. Jim would tell stories of pumping gas and checking oil at Hanson’s Service Station on Saturday with Harry (Papa) and Uncle Bill. While attending Leavitt Area High School, he met Kathy Mahaney. Kathy was the daughter of Henry and Shirley (Mason) Mahaney. To hear Kathy tell the story, they started dating because she was related to all of North Turner. She had to go to South Turner to find a boyfriend. They were high school sweethearts who wed on Jan. 29, 1972, at St. Philips Church in Auburn. They purchased a house in Turner Village and Jim went to work for his father at Hanson Auto Sales. They were blessed with five children, James III, Jayson, Jen, Jared and Jordan. Family was very important to Jim and Kathy. Any family gathering involved both the Hanson and Mahaney clans. The kids had a great childhood whether it was at the camp on Little Wilson Pond or the Grimmel camp in Harpswell. Gary Grimmel and Jim were more brothers than cousins. The time spent with Gary, Betty, Toby and TJ will always trump any summer camp experience. Eventually when Jim Sr. and Annie decided to retire, Jim and Kathy took over Hanson Auto Sales. A dynamic duo, Jim and Kathy took the business to new heights. All four boys worked there at some point in their lives, they shepherded Hanson Auto Sales, so the third generation of Hanson’s have the opportunity to carry on the family legacy. That legacy is honesty; honor mixed with a healthy dose of humor.

Jim was an avid drag racer in his youth. He loved it and built a budget 1969 Chevy Nova. He realized he needed to find a family friendly way to indulge his love of cars. In 1984, when Jared was a newborn, Jim and Kathy attended the annual Downeast Street Rods Run in Cumberland. The family went down to visit Jim’s longtime friends Steve and Judy Van Blarcom (Uncle Steve and Aunt Judy). Jim, Kathy and the kids met lifelong friends through the street rod community. They volunteered at the Rod Runs with Jim occupying several executive positions over his years in Downeast. He was the National Street Rod Association Safety Inspector in Maine for many years. In 2001, Jim and the car community came together to help Sam “The Original Hot Rod Junkie” Samson. Sam had a dream of building a Bonneville land speed car. That January night in the Hanson Auto Sales garage, Maine Barons Racing Team was formed. “She Bad Too” was the first Maine car to race on the Bonneville Salt Flats. After Sam’s death, he left it to Jim’s caretaking. Eventually Jim and the Maine Baron’s Racing Team achieved Sam’s dream of 200 mph at Bonneville with Greg Samson driving. The car saw many landspeed venues and drivers over the years. Jim’s favorite shirt to wear was his Maine Baron’s crew chief.

Kathy finally convinced Jim to semi-retire in 2019. They left Maine to winter at their Port Charlotte home in Florida. Kathy passed away suddenly that December.

Behind the successful businessman and car junkie persona, Jim was a family man above all. He and Kathy were dedicated to taking care of his parents and mother-in-law Shirley. To Jim, friends are family. He was always checking on his friends during their tough times. We were fortunate enough to witness the wizard behind the scenes, making the impossible possible. The Hanson family goes beyond blood. His greatest achievements in life are his grandchildren, Hailey, Maxwell, Mackenzie, Carter and Mason. Golf cart rides with them always put a smile on his face and recharged his soul. After Kathy’s passing, they were his reason to keep smiling. The saying goes “When one door closes, another one opens”. Jim met his later in-life partner Deborah Lavoie. Deb put the swagger back in his step. She became part of the family immediately and always will be. Jim’s kids would like to thank her for taking care of their Dad. Without her, the last nine months of doctor’s appointments wouldn’t have gone smoothly. She was advocating for him when we weren’t in the room. So, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank you!

Jim is survived by his children and their spouses, James III, Jayson, Jen and Brian Hodgman, Jared and Kerissa, Jordan and Jennifer, the grandchildren Hailey, Maxwell, Mackenzie, Carter and Mason. He is also survived by his brother Thomas and wife Claire, his sister Linda, sister in-law Sharon Quimby and partner Kenneth Judd. Jim and Kathy have many adopted sons in William Bean, Sean Abbott, Adam Varney, Kiel Haley, Justin Haley, Travis Haley, Eric Lane, Russ Abbott, Jay Bolduc and many more. To all his friends, the kids would like to say thank you and you are family. Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfunerahome.com.

In lieu of a funeral, a true celebration of life will be held on June 6, at the garage, 18 Fern Street, Turner. It’s only fitting we celebrate his life on the land he spent 73 years … time to be announced, and rain June 7. Arrangements by FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls.