Hank Estabrook

Hanford "Hank" Harold Estabrook, 79, loving husband, father, and grandfather, died June 5, 2006, surrounded by his loving family, after a long and courageous battle against leukemia.

Hank was born in Butte on Dec. 27, 1926, to Eva (Holmes) and Hanford Estabrook. Except for a brief three-year period following World War II when he lived in Tacoma, Wash., Hank spent his whole life living in Butte. He proudly served his country in the naval air corps for two years during World War II. He married the love of his life and lifelong partner, Peggy Rose Shaffer on Feb. 22, 1947, and had four children: Rick, Sharon, Sally and Roger.

Hank had several occupations over his lifetime, but the one he loved the most was that of carpenter, and it showed. He began his career as a carpenter in Butte in 1951 and later became known as one of the best carpenters in town. One of the contractors he worked for would even bid jobs at a lower price if they knew Hank would be the foreman because they knew the job would be done on time and under budget. Hank worked for several well-known contractors over the years including: Cahill-Mooney, Conrad Benson, Lefty Ronan, Ray Johnson, Taylor-McDonnell and Wayne Paffhausen.

During a career that spanned more than 40 years, he worked jobs all over the state but primarily in Butte. He either worked on or was the foreman of many of the largest construction jobs in Butte. Some of the most notable were: East Junior High School, Aldersgate Church, St. Ann's Church, Copper King Motel, Montana Tech Student Union Building, Hilltop Apartments, Rosalie Manor, St. James Community Hospital, McDonald's and the Tamarack Square.

He definitely left his mark on Butte.

Even though he retired from the carpenters' union in 1992, it didn't mean he was through with carpentry work. He loved helping his kids, and built everything for them from desks to houses and anything in between.

If you could imagine it, Hank could build it.

Hank was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending time with his family hunting, fishing camping, and boating. Because of the training he received in the Navy, he was an excellent shot with a shotgun and loved jump-shooting ducks on the Ruby River. His favorite place to hunt elk and deer was the upper Ruby and his favorite places to fish were the North Fork of the Big Hole River and the Madison River.

Boating and fishing were done at Georgetown and Canyon Ferry and his grandkids claimed he was the best boat driver for tubing in the whole wide world. He loved watching all kinds of sports, especially those sports his kids and grandkids participated in. One of the highlights of the past 15 months was a trip to the NCAA basketball finals in Salt Lake City with his sons. Even though he was sick and uncomfortable, he insisted on making every game.

Hank is survived by his wife and partner of 59 years, Peggy Estabrook, Butte; son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Tammy Estabrook, Butte; daughter, Sharon Johnston, Missoula; daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Don Dwyer, Butte; son, Roger Estabrook, Butte; grandchildren, Kelsey and Lauren Estabrook, Hope and Chris Johnston, Stephanie, David, and Shannon Dwyer, and Brendan and Chase Estabrook; brother-in-law, Robert Shaffer and wife Dorothy, Seattle; brother-in-law, Harry Anderson and wife Lois, Spokane; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva (Holmes) Estabrook and Hanford Estabrook; and stepfather, Herman Dahlman.

God saw that you were getting sick.

A cure was not to be.

So he put his arms around you, And whispered come with me.

With tearful eyes we watched When the bird took you away.

Although we love you Dearly, We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating.

Hard working hands to rest.

God broke our hearts to Prove To us he only takes the Best.

Relatives and friends may call after 5 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Duggan Dolan Mortuary. Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John's Episcopal Church. Interment will follow in Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Memorials: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Finance Department, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, N.Y., 10605, or to The Montana Cancer Center, Box 7877, Missoula 59807.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.