Arnold P. Hanson, Sr.

Arnold Arnie Philip Hanson, Sr. 90, of Nashua, NH, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2014 in Nashua, NH. He was born in Berlin, NH on July 11, 1924 the son of Evelyn Marie (Renaud) and Arnold H. Hanson. He grew up in Berlin, was a graduate of Berlin High School and a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Berlin. Arnie was the devoted husband of the late Della (Lavernoich) Hanson, whom he married in 1948 and shared 65 years of marriage. Arnie enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served for three years during World War II. After the war, he attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1948, and Boston University Law School where he earned his J.D. in 1951. Arnie returned to Berlin to practice law in 1951 until his retirement in 1991. During his years practicing law, he also served as Coos County attorney for four years. He was a board member and past president of the New Hampshire Bar Association, director of the Berlin Cooperative Bank, and chairman of the board for the Berlin City Bank. Arnie loved his hometown, and he was immensely proud to be able to serve his community as a lawyer, as well as be actively involved in many local organizations including Kiwanis, the Androscoggin Valley Country Club, and the Androscoggin Valley Hospital. Arnies professional accomplishments were not limited to Berlin. He was the recipient of the 1977 Boston University Law School's prestigious Silver Shingle Award for his distinguished professional service and his contributions to the legal profession that exemplified leadership, ethics, and integrity. Arnie was awarded UNH Alumni Association's Meritorious Service Award in 1986. Arnie and Della also received the UNH Foundations 2004 Hubbard Family Award for Service to Philanthropy. Arnie felt strongly that a good education was critical for success. He recognized the importance of outstanding faculty and believed students who had the desire to go to college should be given the opportunity. Arnie and Della set up two endowments with UNH; the Dr. Norman Alexander Teaching Excellence Fund which rewards outstanding faculty in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service, and the Arnold P. and Della A. Hanson Endowed Scholarship Fund which helps provide students from Coos County with four-year scholarships. Arnie was also a significant contributor to the Boston University School of Laws endowed Kenison Scholar Fund which recognizes the law schools professors who are committed teachers and scholars and who are dedicated to providing a dynamic learning environment for students. Even greater than his love of the law and his love of Berlin, Arnie considered his greatest achievements to be his marriage and his family. While he and Della chose to raise their children in Berlin, they also shared a love of travel and adventure that took them all over the world in their many years together. They also loved the game of golf, and played as often as they could. In their later years, they chose to retire to Nashua, so they could be close to their children and grandchildren. They made sure the family came together as often as possible to celebrate milestones and share accomplishments. In July, all of Arnies children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren traveled from across the country to join in the celebration of his 90th birthday. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. Arnie is predeceased by his wife, his parents and his two sisters. He is survived by his son, Arnie Hanson, Jr. and his wife Barbara of Nashua, NH; two daughters, Caryl Brensinger and her husband Barry of Manchester, NH; Julie Mook and her husband Douglas of Hollis, NH; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. SERVICES: A private service will be held at the Bryant Funeral Home in Berlin, NH. Interment will be in the Old City Cemetery, Berlin, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Arnies memory to a charity of choice or to the St. Paul Lutheran Church at 101 Norway Street, Berlin, New Hampshire 03570.