Overseas Automobile Fanatic and Former President of the Subject Eddy & Bulkley Insurance coverage Company of Springfield
Henry (Hank) Francis Hanmer of Suffield, CT previously of Hampden, MA, exited the highway of life on November 3, 2024, on the age of 97, surrounded by his loving household. He was the son of the late Irene (Baush) and H. Francis Hanmer of Wethersfield, CT. Born in 1927 in Hartford, CT, Henry grew up in Wethersfield the place Hanmers had lived because the early 1700s.
An extended-time international automobile fanatic, Henry perused automobile magazines and evaluations nicely into his nineties in search of his subsequent set of wheels. He drove an Alfa Romeo Stelvio in his final years, discovering it simpler to get out and in of than his Porsche Cayman, which he drove by means of his eighties.
Over time, Henry owned and tinkered with a wide range of classic international automobiles, together with a 1934 Alvis Pace 20, a 1956 Alvis Grey Woman, a 1957 Alfa Romeo Spider, and a 1972 Porsche 911. Henry’s most prized auto was a 1961 Porsche 356 Tremendous 90 – a gem of a automobile that he and his spouse Judy drove to TYP356 Porsche Membership outings the place they developed many lasting friendships. His curiosity in uncommon vehicles offered alternatives to journey all through the U.S., South America, and Europe. He was a long-time member of the Alvis, Alfa Romeo, BMW, and Porsche Automobile Golf equipment.
Henry did nothing half-way. “Something price doing, is price doing proper,” was a chorus that summarized his life. Past his curiosity in international automobiles, he embraced the now-popular farm-to-table mindset together with his concept of a gentleman’s farm – twenty 100-foot rows of greens, plus strawberry and potato patches and a number of other fruit bushes to feed the household by means of the winter, with some extras for the skunks and raccoons dwelling within the close by woods as a result of, “they need to eat, too.” To finish the farm, Henry purchased a John Deere tractor and constructed a barn, which prompted at one time or one other a small flock of sheep, a horse, a goat, some chickens, and some geese.
Henry and Judy traveled broadly. Remembering a favourite journey to Germany, Henry constructed a scale HO mannequin railroad, recreating a typical countryside scene by laying tracks that ran by means of a mountain village with a couple of of his favourite issues: a café, a farm, and a Porsche dealership. In his later years, Henry grew to become an avid UCONN Ladies’s Basketball fan. He watched practically each recreation from the consolation of his cushioned den chair together with his spouse Judy, a bowl of popcorn, and his long-haired, miniature dachshund, Lili, at his toes.
A World Struggle II veteran, Henry joined the U.S. Coast Guard – the “Preventing Coasties” – when he was 18. Ultimately stationed on Guam, Henry was chargeable for sustaining the fleet of automobiles on the base. His drive to do issues proper led him to develop into a profitable enterprise chief. After his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard, he graduated from the College of Connecticut and entered the insurance coverage business the place he spent his working years, finally turning into president of the Subject Eddy & Bulkley insurance coverage company in Springfield, MA. Henry was lively in lots of civic actions and social golf equipment, together with the Kiwanis Membership of Springfield, the Melha Shrine of Springfield, the Century Membership, the Longmeadow Nation Membership, the Lake Area Nation Membership of Winter Haven, FL, and the Suffield Nation Membership. He was very lively with the Springfield Y.M.C.A., ultimately turning into its Board President and even accompanying a number of of his youngsters on Y mountain climbing journeys within the White Mountains.
Whereas his skilled accomplishments are many, his household and associates will keep in mind him principally for his wry humorousness, supportive straight speak, and sharp intelligence. Henry was an avid reader of U.S. historical past and a lifelong learner. He set an instance for sincere work, enjoyable, wholesome dwelling, and having an open thoughts towards individuals and cultures. His spouse, youngsters, household, and associates know they’re blessed that Henry lived an extended, comfortable life with them, and they’re going to dearly miss him.
Henry leaves his spouse of 70 years, Judith (Judy) Rush Hanmer, his youngsters Elizabeth H. Snyder, Alfred W. Hanmer and his spouse Lisa, Susan H. Farina and her husband Dino, and Samuel R. Hanmer and his associate Susan Gardini, 11 grandchildren, 8 nice grandchildren, and 6 nieces and nephews. He’s predeceased by his sister, Marilyn. Henry additionally leaves his mischievous doppelganger, Bruce Westercamp.
