Norman Hansford

Norman "Boo" Hansford was born on December 15, 1940, in Passaic N.J. He was the fifth child of the late Lanzy Sr. and Josephine (Ogletree) Hansford. Norman resided in Paterson and Passaic, N.J., however he lived most of his adult life in Woodland Park, N.J.
Norman attended the Paterson Public School System. He was employed at Grand Union Supermarket Corporation as a truck loader until the stores closed. Norman later found employment at Garden State Honda in Passaic, N.J. His hard work and dedication were rewarded with a grand surprise retirement party by the owners. As an expression of love, he was gifted with a Movado watch. Norman was responsible for keeping the cars in the showroom and on the lot sparkling clean! He took great pride in his work to the point that he would let you know when your vehicle needed cleaning. A few of his brothers found it annoying yet also amusing.
Norman was as meticulous about his wardrobe as he was about his cars. He was known for his lambskin leather blazers, turtleneck sweaters, and his shoes that always shined like a new penny. Norman was also very protective of his siblings. If someone messed with anyone of them, you had to deal with Norman, who stood over 6 feet and had the hands of a prized fighter.
There was a tender side of Norman that many people did not know. His father, whom Norman called "The Chief," affectionately dubbed him "The Cry Baby." Norman genuinely loved people and wished everyone would do the same. Norman had a good soul.
He met Cheryl B. Curtis, and the two fell in love. after a long courtship, they united in marriage on December 13, 2013. The two were happily married for 4 years until Chryl passed. Soon after, the family noticed a decline in Norman's mental acuity, so he moved back to Paterson to live with his brother Bill, Bill's daughter Sharon, and her husband Kenneth Caldwell.
In August of 2023, Sharon and Kenneth moved to Georgia, and Norman's Sister-in-love, Karen "Gilbert" Hansford, became his advocate until his passing.
Norman peacefully departed this life on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Complete Care Nursing Home in Paterson, N.J.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl, his parents, Lanzy Sr., and Josephine Hansford, siblings: Fanny "Pee-Wee" Hansford, Ruth Harrison, Valine Lucear (Forsyth, GA.), Lanzy Jr., William "Jit", Melvin "Poochie", Donald Sr., Robert "Huck", and Kenneth Hansford.
Norman leaves to cherish fond memories his sisters-in-law, Eunice Hansford, Louise Andrews, Karen Gilbert-Hansford, and Yvonne Curtis; brother-in-law, Lamont Curtis; nieces, Cheryl Harrison, Jennifer Stephens Muhammad, Tonya Davis, Courtney Belton, Jacqueline Hansford, Tanisha Hansford Colon, and Sharon Caldwell. Nephews: Melvin Harrison, Lenzy Darren West, Sr., Donald Hansford, Jr., William Hansford, Jr., Bryant Thompson, and Jason Hansford. Norman also leaves a host of cousins and friends.