Peter E. Hanson

Peter “Pete” Edward Hanson, 80, of Feeding Hills MA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at Western Mass Hospital in Westfield MA. Pete was a great man, husband, father and grandfather. His presence blessed everyone who knew him.
Born on June 13, 1940 in Boston MA, Pete grew up in Woburn MA, with his parents, the late Edward and Elizabeth (Fisher) Hanson, and grandmother Gladys “Gar” Fisher. Pete was a graduate of Woburn High in 1957 and learned his work ethic at the family business, Arnold-Fisher Co., in Woburn. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from UMass Amherst in 1961. There he met his future wife Kathleen “Kay” Godek. Pete and Kay were married in February of 1962.
Pete and Kay started raising their family of four children in Woburn and then moved to Feeding Hills in 1973. Pete’s career, as an accountant and a controller, took him from United Shoe to Strathmore Paper and then to Stanley Tools.
Pete’s favorite pastime was sports. He loved coaching his kids and enjoyed watching the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins. Pete is probably best known around Agawam MA for his involvement in the “Men’s Over 30 Basketball League.” He joined the league in the late ‘70s, formed a team named the “Retreads,” and later proudly served as League Commissioner for over 20 years.
Despite his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus and his mobility challenges, Pete celebrated the joys of life including the weddings of all his children and the births of his eight grandchildren.
Pete is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Kathleen (Godek) Hanson; sister, Carol Hanson of Coquille OR; children, David Hanson and wife Li-Jiuan of Wellesley MA, Thomas Hanson and wife Ty of Southampton MA, James Hanson and wife Donna of Washington Township NJ, and Karen Jones and husband Paul of Feeding Hills MA; plus eight grandchildren, Isabelle, Sierra, Hunter, Camilla, Amelia, Autumn, Forest and Tyler.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all of the dedicated and compassionate staff at Western Mass Hospital for taking Pete under their wings and giving him extraordinary care for the past ten years. Pete was best known at WMH for his heartwarming smile that could brighten anyone’s day.
Services are entrusted to Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home and will be held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Western Mass Hospital, Recreation Department, 91 East Mountain Road, Westfield MA 01085; please note “Rec. Dept. Donation” in the memo field.

Forever in our hearts.