DONALD J. HANSON SR.

DONALD J. HANSON SR.

Donald J. Hanson Sr. died March 6, 20120.

He was born to Bernice and Hans Jacob (Harry) on Feb. 7, 1927, in Graceville, Minn.

Hanson was captain and played forward position on the basketball team of Graceville High School. In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served two years aboard the USS Osborne as a radioman. He then attended Moorehead State Teachers College, after which he worked in sales for Gamble Robinson Corp.

In 1951, he and his brother Howard opened their own grocery store in Graceville, Minn. In 1952, he sold his share of the store to Howard and was employed by Marathon Corp., again in sales in the paper products industry. In 1956 he moved on to Diamond Match Corp. and, in 11 months, Vanity Fair Paper Corp. bought out Diamond Match Corp. Hanson became national sales manager, a position he held for 23 years. During that time, Hanson was one of two men who designed the red banner, which wraps Vanity Fair paper products to this day.

In 1978, he founded and was CEO of Saugerties Packaging Corp. in New York, which produced the packaging wrappers for companies such as Georgia Pacific Corp., Kimberly Clark, Vanity Fair and numerous others.

Hanson retired to Jupiter, Fla., in 1998 and was a resident and member of Loxahatchee Club.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Allyn, Ralph, Howard and Bruce.

He is survived by his significant other, Marlene Dobbins of Jupiter, Fla.; a daughter, Laura Virginia (Charles); his sons, Hans (Karen) and Don Jr. (Nena); and a daughter, Nancy (Todd); four grandchildren, Kelly, Jeffrey, Emmalee and Olivia; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and his wonderful dog, Sir Preston.

A memorial service was celebrated March 9 at Aycock Funeral Home in Jupiter, Fla.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Safe Harbor Animal Rescue, 185 Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL 33477.

Condolences may be made online at www.AycockFuneralHomeJupiter.com