In Memory of
John Francis
Hansen
Hansen
1923 - 2017
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Walton's Funerals & Cremations
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>
Obituary for John Francis Hansen
October 24, 1923 - May 18, 2017
Reno, Nevada (formerly of Vallejo, Patterson, and Pleasanton)
Jack Hansen, 93, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2017 after visiting with some of his children and watching the Cavaliers beat the Celtics. He was born in Oakland, California, on October 24, 1923, to August Martheus Hansen and Ellen N. O’Reilly. Unfortunately, Jack’s father died and was buried on his first birthday. As a result, his mother, Ellen, raised Jack and his two brothers by herself in a small house on Magee Avenue in Oakland. Jack attended St. Elizabeth’s Elementary School. For high school he started at St. Joseph’s in Alameda before returning to finish at St. Elizabeth’s High School. He was an excellent athlete and played basketball at both schools. Jack served in the Navy during World War II as a Sonarman, First Class. He was instrumental in sinking an enemy submarine while serving aboard the USS Bangust, a destroyer escort. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.
After the war he returned to California to attend St. Mary’s College in Moraga. While a student at St. Mary’s, he met the love of his life and his future bride, Barbara Joan Otten, at the Franciscan Club in Oakland. Jack and Barbara were married on June 18, 1949, at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Oakland. Once Jack graduated from college in 1951, he taught and coached at St. Elizabeth High School. In 1955 he transferred to teach business at San Lorenzo High School, but continued to coach basketball at St. Elizabeth’s. He ultimately became the Dean of Boys at San Lorenzo High School and, in the mid sixties, became the principal of Russell City Continuation High School, which served students in the San Lorenzo district. As Jack’s career progressed, Jack and Barbara raised their growing family in San Leandro and Hayward. The Hansen Family eventually moved to Pleasanton in 1966, where Jack and Barbara finally settled with their family of ten children.
In addition to his career, Jack also coached many of his children in a variety of sports. Jack and Barbara were very active in the St. Augustine’s Catholic Church where they met many of their life long friends. He also was very proud to be a commissioner for the Pleasanton Housing Commission. Once Jack retired from education, he joined his son, Stephen, in the grocery business, owning a Grocery Outlet franchise, first in Vallejo and later in San Jose. Returning to coaching, he coached the Amador girl’s basketball team to an NCS championship in 1981-82 with a record of 31-1, the longest winning streak in Amador history. For that effort, he was honored as South County Coach of the Year.
When Jack and Barbara finally retired, they moved to Patterson where they joined the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. Jack coached the Patterson High School girls’ basketball team for several years. He also joined the Lions Club there, serving as president for a time. In 2011, Jack and his wife moved to Vallejo and in 2016 they moved to Reno.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, his parents, and his brothers and their wives, Bill and Lorraine Hansen and Bob and Marge Hansen, as well as his brother-in-law, John Otten and his wife, Dorothy Otten, and his sister-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) Otten Hall and Oliver Hall. He is survived by his children: Joan Partier (William), Jim Hansen (Judy), Steve Hansen (Kathy), Sharon Hansen (Roger Cobb), Patricia Backman (Sven), Phillip Hansen (Sharon), Mike Hansen (Cheryl), Mary Wheat (Ron), Theresa Lown (Joe) and Tammy Shannon (Scott). He is also survived by his 27 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren along with two Hansen nieces and a ne phew, seven Otten nieces and nephews, and seven Hall nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Life for Jack will be held at St. Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church at 4001 Stoneridge Drive in Pleasanton on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 11:00 am, followed by a gathering at the Veterans Memorial Hall on Main Street, Pleasanton. With extended family in attendance, Jack will be inurned in the Mausoleum at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at 11:00 am on Monday, July 24, 2017.
If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you may do so to the Rotary Club of Pleasanton Foundation at PO Box 352, Pleasanton, CA 94566, to support scholarships for local students.
Reno, Nevada (formerly of Vallejo, Patterson, and Pleasanton)
Jack Hansen, 93, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2017 after visiting with some of his children and watching the Cavaliers beat the Celtics. He was born in Oakland, California, on October 24, 1923, to August Martheus Hansen and Ellen N. O’Reilly. Unfortunately, Jack’s father died and was buried on his first birthday. As a result, his mother, Ellen, raised Jack and his two brothers by herself in a small house on Magee Avenue in Oakland. Jack attended St. Elizabeth’s Elementary School. For high school he started at St. Joseph’s in Alameda before returning to finish at St. Elizabeth’s High School. He was an excellent athlete and played basketball at both schools. Jack served in the Navy during World War II as a Sonarman, First Class. He was instrumental in sinking an enemy submarine while serving aboard the USS Bangust, a destroyer escort. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.
After the war he returned to California to attend St. Mary’s College in Moraga. While a student at St. Mary’s, he met the love of his life and his future bride, Barbara Joan Otten, at the Franciscan Club in Oakland. Jack and Barbara were married on June 18, 1949, at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Oakland. Once Jack graduated from college in 1951, he taught and coached at St. Elizabeth High School. In 1955 he transferred to teach business at San Lorenzo High School, but continued to coach basketball at St. Elizabeth’s. He ultimately became the Dean of Boys at San Lorenzo High School and, in the mid sixties, became the principal of Russell City Continuation High School, which served students in the San Lorenzo district. As Jack’s career progressed, Jack and Barbara raised their growing family in San Leandro and Hayward. The Hansen Family eventually moved to Pleasanton in 1966, where Jack and Barbara finally settled with their family of ten children.
In addition to his career, Jack also coached many of his children in a variety of sports. Jack and Barbara were very active in the St. Augustine’s Catholic Church where they met many of their life long friends. He also was very proud to be a commissioner for the Pleasanton Housing Commission. Once Jack retired from education, he joined his son, Stephen, in the grocery business, owning a Grocery Outlet franchise, first in Vallejo and later in San Jose. Returning to coaching, he coached the Amador girl’s basketball team to an NCS championship in 1981-82 with a record of 31-1, the longest winning streak in Amador history. For that effort, he was honored as South County Coach of the Year.
When Jack and Barbara finally retired, they moved to Patterson where they joined the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. Jack coached the Patterson High School girls’ basketball team for several years. He also joined the Lions Club there, serving as president for a time. In 2011, Jack and his wife moved to Vallejo and in 2016 they moved to Reno.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, his parents, and his brothers and their wives, Bill and Lorraine Hansen and Bob and Marge Hansen, as well as his brother-in-law, John Otten and his wife, Dorothy Otten, and his sister-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) Otten Hall and Oliver Hall. He is survived by his children: Joan Partier (William), Jim Hansen (Judy), Steve Hansen (Kathy), Sharon Hansen (Roger Cobb), Patricia Backman (Sven), Phillip Hansen (Sharon), Mike Hansen (Cheryl), Mary Wheat (Ron), Theresa Lown (Joe) and Tammy Shannon (Scott). He is also survived by his 27 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren along with two Hansen nieces and a ne phew, seven Otten nieces and nephews, and seven Hall nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Life for Jack will be held at St. Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church at 4001 Stoneridge Drive in Pleasanton on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 11:00 am, followed by a gathering at the Veterans Memorial Hall on Main Street, Pleasanton. With extended family in attendance, Jack will be inurned in the Mausoleum at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at 11:00 am on Monday, July 24, 2017.
If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you may do so to the Rotary Club of Pleasanton Foundation at PO Box 352, Pleasanton, CA 94566, to support scholarships for local students.
Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of John Francis Hansen , please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.