Franklin H. Hanson , 87, of Ashville NY passed away peacefully on November 22, 2017.
Born July 19th 1930, the son of Ernest and Ruth (Dickson) Hanson, he was the youngest of 7 children. Preceding him in death were sisters Gerda (Kofod), Mary (Anderson), Hilda (Dahlberg), Orilla (Lundgren), and Mable (Fleming) as well as his brother Elwood who was killed in action in WWII when Franklin was age 14. Through this loss the family gained by meeting the Van der Woude family in Maastricht, Netherlands who has maintained and honored Elwood's graveyard in the US Cemetery there. A highlight of Franklin's life was a family trip in recent years to the grave in the Netherlands, connecting with our Dutch family. Franklin treasured his many wonderful nieces, nephews, and their extended families around the world.

He was preceded in Death by his wife Phyllis (TeWinkle) Hanson, son David Hanson, son in law Jim Ritchie, and step daughter Teri Newhouse. He is survived by daughter Zoe Ritchie of Smicksburg, PA , Eric Hanson of North Tonawanda, NY, stepdaughter Tammy Newhouse of Warren PA, and son Dan Hanson of Jamestown, NY. Grandchildren include Taylor Ritchie of Northern California, Harmony Ritchie of Kuwait, David Hanson of Ashville, N.Y. , Ethan and Dana Hanson of New Braunfels, TX as well as great grandchild Lincoln Hanson and Collin Taylor of Ashville.

A 1950 graduate of Chautauqua Central School, he worked the family farm in earlier life and was active in 4-H, FFA, and later the Stedman Grange, and also served on the school board for Chautauqua.

Frank Hanson was known by many as a master fabricator, welder, and mechanic who could fix anything and helped many friends and neighbors as he worked in his garage. In midlife, he was a bus driver and mechanic at Chautauqua Central School and finished his career at Mayville Central School as the head of transportation and maintenance.

In retirement, he and Phyllis (until her passing in 2009) spent nearly 25 winters in Florida among family and dear friends in the Pioneer Creek RV park in Bowling Green, FL. Throughout his life he was active supporting school sports, church activities, and community events.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials are directed to the Ashville Fire Department, the Open Meadows United Methodist Church, the Harmony Historical Society, or the North Harmony Senior Citizens .

Calling hours will be Friday December 1st at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville, NY from 2-4 and 7-9pm. A celebration service will be at Open Meadows United Methodist Church on Saturday December 2nd at 4pm.