Dr. Gary A. Hanson
March 4, 1947 ~ April 5, 2016
Dr. Gary Arnold Hanson (69), a long-time resident of Aliquippa, PA, and his fiance, Mary Margaret Gonzales (62), were killed on Monday, April 4 in a house fire in their home in Aliquippa. He is survived by his daughter, Margaret Laura Hanson (36) and her fianc, Michael Butler (40), both currently of New York, N.Y.; his mother, Lorice Halseth (91) of Jackson, CA; a niece, Mary Hanson (32) and her son and his grand-nephew, Gage Connor Hanson-Messick (4) also of Jackson. He was predeceased by his father, Charles James Hanson, in 2002; his son, Philip Charles Hanson, in 2004; and his brother, Dennis Charles Hanson, in 2012. His second wife and the mother of his children, Elizabeth Stephenson, also predeceased him, in 2003.
Dr. Hanson was, until his death, the owner of and sole practitioner at Gary A. Hanson MD, Inc. in Weirton since 1982. A beloved internist and cardiologist, he took care of several generations of the town's family, serving as doctor, therapist and friend in nearly equal measures. By nature he was painfully shy (it may surprise some who knew him), but in his practice and with people with whom he was comfortable, the "real Gary" was consistently present with wry and often ribald jokes. His sense of humor was almost as well known as his clinical excellence as a doctor.
Dr. Hanson graduated from Loma Linda University in 1965 with a B.S. in Chemistry. He moved to the Boston area shortly thereafter and worked as a chemist for a year before attending Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, from which he graduated in 1975. After completing a residency in Cincinnati, OH, he briefly practiced in Cape Girardeau, MO, before moving to practice in Weirton.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Hanson was a talented woodworker and had an entire shop in his basement for decades, from which he turned out his daughter's very first desk and much of the wooden furniture that passed through various rooms over time at his home in Aliquippa, nicknamed "Happenstance". He also loved to cook and made excellent Indian, Italian and Chinese food; homemade bread; and anything else for which he could find a recipe and the ingredients. His humor, his medical and other advice, his cooking and his ability to keep even the most earnest from taking themselves too seriously will be missed and impossible for many to replace in their lives.
Friends and family will be received on Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home in Weirton, W.V. Interment will be at the convenience of the families of Dr. Hanson and Ms. Gonzales.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Shatterproof, 101 Merritt 7 Corporate Park, 1st Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, or online at www.shatterproof.org, where guests to the page may click "Donate" at the middle top menu bar for a secure form.
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
RIP Dr. Hanson. We will all miss you.
You will be missed Dr. Hanson. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace.
My goodness there are no words to describe the loss we feel.
Nothing will ever be the same without you. You were brilliant and we will miss you dearly. With deepest sympathy.
Tim and Rita Kelley
Our whole family will miss you, Dr.Hanson. You were a great doctor, listener and friend to us. RIP
Thank you so much for taking care of Chester and I. You were a wonderful friend, too. Thanks for all the conversations.
Margaret, you have my deepest sympathies for the loss of your father. He has been my doctor for many years. I just wanted to tell you your dad was so proud of you. He would get this big smile on his face when we would talk about you living in New York City. Again my sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers to his family, sorry for your loss
Dr Hanson will be dearly missed. He was a great man, doctor, and friend to our family for many years. RIP and prayers to you Margaret. Know that he always got a smile on his face when he spoke about you and the trips you went on. Prayers to the family. Iona and Joyce McColloch
Gary will be missed terribly. He was one of a kind. He was our Doctor since he began his practice. He had a great sense of humor & loved Gary Larsen cartoons…..I used to bring him a new wall calendar every year of those cartoons. He loved it! He was a great physician & friend, taking wonderful care of my in-laws, my mother, & us. Always there when you needed him. He always asked about our daughter & she also was under his care until she got married. Our prayers are with you, Margaret, that God will grant you His strength & peace now & forever. Your dad mentioned you so many times & was so proud of you. Jim & Linda Cladias
Margaret, David and I would like to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. Your father was my mother doctor for years and she loved him. In fact he first asked Babydoll out when she stopped to pick up my mothers prescriptions. They made each other so happy. It is such a shame that this tragedy happened. They both were such loving, caring people and they both will be greatly missed. Our condolence and prayers to you and your family. Sara and David (Gonzales) Locke
Dr.Hanson, was loved very much by my family he treated my Grandparents and my mother. My Pap never liked to go to the Dr’s but when he met Dr. Hanson that all changed. My Pap and all of my family had the utmost respect for him. He was always there for you.
My sincere sympathy to his mother, daughter and all family and friends. He will be miss and loved always. RIP Dr. Hanson God bless all
Sincerely Celeste Gill Goff
Dear Dr. Hanson, it is so incredibly hard to say good bye to you. You had such a lifelong impact on my whole family from the first day you came into Dr. Philip’s practice. You were more than just a Dr. to us, you were a family friend. We will never forget you or your impact on our family. You took such good care of my parents, and the three of us. Our most sincere sympathy to your daughter, Margaret, and your mother. Rest in eternal peace. We will never forget you! Bob,Mehaffey, Lauren Rainey Mehaffey , and Todd Mehaffey
Margaret I have been thinking of you so much…your Dad and my sister were so in love and happy, and we were all so very happy for the both of them to have finally found their soul mates. I can see him cooking, music on and them dancing in the kitchen.. I remember when he asked her out my Mother was so excited she called me and I could here her whisper \”Can I tell Cindy?\” We will forever wonder what might have been but I am sure they are together,and smiling.
Dear Margaret, My late wife(Nancy), myself and my daughter(Lisa) have been fortunate enough to have known and been cared for by your Father since he started his practice. We felt we weren’t just patients to Gary but a friend, because of his genuine concern. I last spoke to your Father while having some pre-surgery testing under his care at the hospital recently. We shook hands”as usual” after and said to each other, I’ll see you after the surgery(my friend). I’m glad we were able to share our favorite goodbye one last time. Your Father was very proud and loved you very much. Many of our conversations were centered around you and my daughter. That’s what proud fathers do. May you find peace and comfort, knowing your Father so dearly loved you. Very respectfully, Harry McFarland,JR and Lisa(McFarland)Mcginty.
My sincere sympathy to the family. Dr. Hanson was my Dr. for 30 years. He took care of my Mother from the beginning of his practice in Weirton. When you went to him it wasn\’t like going to the Dr. but going to see your Friend. My heart is very heavy. RIP Doc and know what an impact you had on so many people. You was the best and will be missed by many. Debbie Long
Dr Hanson will be missed by many. He was my mom and dad’s Dr (Sis and Ralph)since he started his practice in Weirton. When my mom and dad passed away Dr Hanson came to the funeral home to pay his respects. There are not many doctors that do that for their patients and their families. May you rest in piece. Thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
I will miss you sooooooo much Dr. Hanson! You were so kind & understanding. I’m not sure if I’ll ever find another doctor as wonderful as you!! I hope you are happy in heaven with your son. My heart felt thoughts & prayers go out to your beautiful daughter!! May she only remember the good times! He always spoke so highly & proudly of her! Goodbye Dr. Hanson!! You will always be missed & thought of with good thoughts!! My prayers also go out to his fianc’s family! May you also find peace!
Dear Margaret,
I am so sorry for your loss. Mary (Babydoll) is my cousin. Her mother and my father are sister and brother. Mary was so happy with your father, she also loved you as well. I will remember you in my prayers’, if you need anything please let me know.
love
Rhonda Elliott
My husband and I had Dr. Hanson for many years. His bedside manner, his sense of humor and his loving care will be greatly missed. Our sincere sympathy to his family!
Thank you so very much Dr. Hanson. My family and I will miss you so very much. You was the best Dr. that I could ever have. You was a great man and friend. R. I. P. You will be missed forever. God Bless you. To your family may God be with you in your time of sorrow.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS DR.HANSON WAS ONE OF KIND HE WAS A SPECIAL PERSON ALWAYS THERE FOR MY HUSBAND MY SON AND ME TOOK HIS TIME WHEN WE HAD TO SEE HIM WE WILL SURELY MISSED HIM BILL,MARY AND BILLY CONLEY
I was very saddened by the loss of Dr Hanson. He was truly one of the finest doctors I know and Weirton has lost an irreplaceable physician. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
I am so sorry for your loss Margaret,your Dad was a wonderful person. I worked in the ICU/CCU at Weirton Medical Center when your Dad first came to Weirton to practice. I truly enjoyed working with him and he was an awesome Physician. I left Weirton and he continued as my parent’s physician until they passed away in 2003 and 2006. He was always there for them and me as well, when I would call from out of town or come to an appointment with them. He was compassionate, funny, loved his patients and will truly be missed by the Weirton community. Linda Coburn Moore
My condolances to the Hanson family.
Well said Margaret. I’m so sorry for all your loss
May God bless you with comfort through this sorrowful time in your lives. Dr. Hanson was a very compassionate person and so loving and dedicated to his patients. He was a blessing to our family as my mother and grandparents were passing. He was taken to soon please know that my prayers and sympathies are with your family.
Rest in peace my friend. Condolences to Margaret. He loved you and really liked your future husband. You will be missed.
Dr. Hanson had the very greatest smile — a wonderful combination of sincerity and mischievous humor. He was my mother’s doctor for 30 years and she and I always know she was in the very best hands.
I was a patient of Dr Hansons, and like everyone else, this has come as a great shock. I was just in the hospital for a week recently, so of course I saw Dr.Hanson every day. After I was released I went to Minnesota to visit my daughter, and while I was there, I learned of Dr.Hansons sudden and tragic passing. I am still having trouble believing that this actually happened. I will not be able to pay my respects, because I am still out of town visiting my daughter. I just want you to know, that you are all in my thoughts and prayers, during this very difficult time. RIP DR Hanson
Margaret your dad will be missed by many patients,myself included. He spoke of you and your brother often, he was so proud of and your accomplishments. We somehow always ended up talking about our children at my appointments. He was a great doctor and an even better human being, so down to earth. God bless you during this difficult time, I will keep you in my prayers.
Dr Hanson was not only my doctor but he was a friend. I will truly miss his kindness and gentleness when I needed him most. This is a terrible loss to the medical profession and to anyone who has ever come to know this man. My heartfelt sympathy is extended to the Hanson family. Know you are in our prayers.
I remember Gary as very easy person to talk to He would always be so patient and kind. He had such a gentle spirit it was easy to be around him and call him a friend. I worked for several years, and loved his family. I will miss his twinkle when he was ready to tell you a joke.Margaret I am sorry for your loss.
Margaret, I as so sorry for your loss. I have worked with your father for many years at WMC. He was a very loved physician by all. I remember you coming to visit him with your brother when you were young.. He was so very proud of you both. Praying for you.
To Margaret: We are so sorry for your loss. Your dad was more than a doctor to us; he was a trusted friend. Like so many in our community, we are devastated. He was a caring and compassionate man who will be sorely missed. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
To Tia and the ladies of Dr. Hanson’s office: You also have our deepest condolences at this time of unbelievable loss. We want to thank you so much for your kindness and support through the years.
Sincerely, Diane and Kevin Bowers and Emily Fields
Margaret, I am so sorry for your loss. I have known your dad since he first came to WMC. We knew someone had taken over Dr Philips practice but had not met him. One evening around 9pm the elevator doors opened and this rather young guy comes off pushing the portable Echocardiogram machine. The other nurse and I looked at each other and said \”I like this guy!\” Over the years I have had many conversations and shared jokes with him. We were all concerned when he lost your mom and again when Philip died. He lived for you. He adored you. Thank God you have your own love to help you through this nightmare. I am truely sorry for your loss.
Margaret:
Your Dad was a remarkable and wonderful doctor and person. Words can just not say enough about your Dad. I’m the 3rd generation of my family to be a patient of your Dad. Your Dad always knew when he needed to be a doctor and when he needed to be your friend – My Mom who was a patient of your Dad – had passed away in an accident and the support from your Dad was unbelievable – your Dad really cared about his patients and their family – then my husband had an spinal cord injury – and your Dad’s support again just unbelievable – I’m so grateful for all your Dad has done for me and my family. When I would leave his office – I always thank him – I could never thank Dr. Hanson enough.
Margaret, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
Paul and Pamela (Growden) Chappell
Margaret, your dad has been my doctor since he came to Weirton. He took care of my mother and I. He was so kind and caring. He saved my life by diagnosing a chronic illness in one office visit and sent me to the world renowned, Dr. Thomas Medsger at UPMC.
Doctor’s Day will always remind me of him. I hope he got my last gift on a March 30. He always enjoyed receiving them.
Prayers will be said for him. I’m sure heaven’s gates were opened wide for him.
Many years ago, Dr. Hanson was my dad\’s physician, and he always appreciated his kindness and care. God Bless.
Maralyn Ridgway
Dr. Hanson has been my doctor since 1984. I’ve lost a good friend besides being so helpful over the years through my husband’s passing
and several instances of illness. We talked of our children several times as his daughter was a lawyer as well as my son. He was very
proud of her and I hope that will be a comfort to her as she goes on with her life. I will always remember Dr. Hanson for all the helpfulness over the years and will miss him. My sincere condolences to all his family.
Margaret
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was my doctor and my family doctor for many years. He was an awesome doctor, a wonderful person but most of my friend too. He was a very compassionate, loving,and dedicated doctor to all his patients’. He was very proud of you when he talked about you. His eyes would just twinkle and had a big smile on his face. Your Dad has touched so many lives in this community including mine and my family. He will be sadly missed. My prayers & Sympathies are with you and your family and also the Gonzales family.
RIP Dr. Hanson
I first met Gary through my wife and when he came to Millers airport to Fly.
He was a great student. Loved his sarcasm and wit and his Laugh
When we were working but barely making it he gave us care but wouldnt take our money.
I can remember when Judie was taking the kids to town and Elizabeth would always like the dogs to ride in front. Untill we got to the bottom of the hill where she would stop the Car and Philp or Marget would get up there.
I can remember many people saying if it wasnt for Gary I wouldnt be here today he’s the best heart surgeon there is.
I can remember him and Philip playing video games in the back den, and Gary playing Bridge online with people from California
Even though I havent seen him in many years I considered him a friend and I think he would still consider me a friend He was that kind of guy
I am stricken with this sudden loss of your Dad. I’ve lost track of the years it’s been since I started seeing him, but he was always kind and a good listener. We would talk about the railroad, he was always understanding of my schedule, I believe he said his grandfather worked on the railroad in Cali. There are no words that can express my sadness at the unfairness of his sudden passing. May you find comfort in the celebration of his life and fine service to his patients.
Dear Margaret: The sudden passing of Dr. Hanson is a profound loss to the Weirton community. My siblings and I all live out of state and felt so fortunate to know we had a Johns Hopkins trained physician at the helm of our aging parent’s healthcare voyage. We so appreciated his kind, open, honest, and accessible manner. My mother had recently been admitted to the hospital and we had just spoken with your father Monday at 4 p.m. We were beyond devastated when we learned of the tragedy and had to make sure our 90 year old father was seated before we could break the news. He broke down as if he had lost a son. Our hearts are heavy but perhaps you can take a small measure of comfort in the wonderful legacy he left in this little town. He will be forever missed and remembered and we are so very sorry for your loss.
With sincerest sympathy,
The family of George and Rita Griffith
Dear Margaret–I would like to say that what the Griffith family has written is 100% true. Your father was loved and well-respected in Weirton. We have lost a wonderful doctor and friend.
Dear Margaret,
Sending my deepest condolences. I was a long time patient of your father. He will be deeply missed and so very hard to replace in our lives. During my visits even my daughter would come and talk to him about my health and the medicine field. He always talked highly of you and his finance’. May they both rest in peace. Our community is mourning the loss of 2 highly respected individuals.
Sincerely,
Irene Edgell
I just read of Gary’s passing. I am so sorry he is gone. I knew Gary when he was a Resident at the Cincinnati VA Hospital, many years ago. We became friends and I used to feed his cat, “Spike” when he was on call and couldn’t get home or when he went out of town. I haven’t seen Gary in many years but I never forgot him. He was so kind, smart and funny. I loved talking with him, there was always learning and laughter with Gary. This was all way before he married Elizabeth and had children but I am sure he was a wonderful father and a fabulous Doctor. Rest in peace, Gary. You were so loved by all.
I was a patient and friend of Dr. Hanson’s for many years. He was a kind, compassionate person and he always shared a joke or two with me. I moved to Florida and although I have found a very good doctor to take care of me, he isn’t nor will he ever be the caliber of doctor that Dr. Hanson was. I send heartfelt sympathy to Dr. Hanson’s family. i X
I don’t know if this will get to you. Having just found out about his death I just wanted to pass along my deepest most profound sympathy. Gary Hanson was a friend, mentor, savior, and one of the most compassionate, funny, and truly lovely human beings I have ever had the privilege to meet. The last time I saw him was almost 30 years ago and my heart aches with his loss. The world was a better place for having him near.