John J. Hansberry
John J. Hansberry, 86, of Boston,, formerly of Dunwoody GA and Sudbury, MA died June 21, 2016. John was born and raised in Waltham, MA, the son of Doris (Sherman) and Clarence Hansberry.
John was a 1947 graduate of Waltham High School where he lettered in Football, Hockey and Baseball. He received his B.S.B.A. from Boston College where he helped to make “eastern collegiate hockey what it is today” as a 3 year starter as one of the lauded varsity “Kelleymen”.
John went on to serve a 4 year tour of duty as a proud Marine in Korea and Japan.
Mr. Hansberry enjoyed a 50 year career in hotel development and management which afforded him the opportunity to travel the world and live in Cleveland, Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, San Francisco and Atlanta. John enjoyed managing and developing properties for Hotel Corporation of America, Sonesta, Sheraton, Omni, Hyatt and The Ritz Carlton.
John was a talented artist who excelled at sculpting and drawing, enjoyed tennis with his dear friends at the Dunwoody Country Club and was active in his local parish and with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John’s love of athletics was life-long and he was able to share it with the Lincoln-Sudbury and Georgia Tech students whom he coached in ice hockey.
Predeceased by his wife of 36 years, Anne Jane Kelley, John leaves behind a brother Joe of Scituate, sister and brother in law Mary (Kelley) & Jim Corr of Boston, and a sister in law Linda Kelley of Assonet. John also leaves five beloved nephews and nieces; Shawn (Christine), Beth, Lynn (Jim), Joe (Anne), & Michael, as well as 10 great nephews and nieces whom he adored. John also leaves behind his dear friend Eileen Fox.
A Funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM on Saturday June 25, 2016 at The Parish of St. Ignatius of Loyola 28 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA. Memorial gifts in Mr. Hansberry’s memory may be made to his Veterans of Foreign Wars Dunwoody Post #10822 , PO Box 889052, Atlanta GA 30356
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Thank You Uncle John Hansberry for a life well lived.
Smokin Joe Hansberry
I met Mr. Hansberry in the late 50’s when he moved Sudbury. I was his paper boy. There was a pond in the neighborhood and we of course played hockey there. Mr. Hansberry would come down to the pond and play hockey with us. At that time he had a broken arm and use a shortened stick to dribble, pass and shoot. He was remarkable. Together with a local sports store (Wests Sports) he organized a high school aged hockey team. We did not have high school hockey at that time. This team eventually became the first hockey team at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School 1965-66. Mr. was very good to me and the rest of the team. Because of his relationship with 1956, 1960 Olympic Teams and players we got special ice time (4-5am) at the only rink in the area at the time Loring Area. I continued to play hockey 30 years after high school in the Army, college and numerous men’s league playing as often as 3 times a week. I owe my love of the game to him. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to stay in touch with him as I was erroneously told many years ago he had died.