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Peter Hanssen Obituary
Hanssen
HIGHLAND - Peter Einar Hanssen, age 76, died at St. Luke's Hospital, March 20, 2011.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY, December 1, 1934 to the late Jane Harding and Einar Hanssen.
A graduate of PolyPrep Country Day School and the Pratt Institute, Peter taught painting, drawing and art history for 35 years at Kingsborough Community College, Pratt Institute and Marist College.
A veteran of the Korean War, Peter served from 1952 - '56 as a crypto linguist for the US Army.
Peter is known for his abstract expressionist paintings, satirical drawings, and digital photographs. His work has been exhibited widely.
Peter is survived by his beloved family, including his wife, Daria Hanssen, and his five children: John Hanssen and his wife, Jennifer; Elizabeth Hanssen; Julie Hanssen, Sarah Adamek and her husband John; and Charmaine Allegra.
He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, a brother, Richard Hanssen and his wife Jane, a sister-in-law, Constance Pagano and her husband, Arnold as well as cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Peter loved jazz, baseball, his dogs Gus and Max, travelling and gardening. He will be remembered as an amiable and genial man with a unique sense of humor and wit that made us all laugh. Peter was loved, respected, and admired by all those who knew him. He will be sadly missed.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11 am at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Highland.
A Memorial gathering for family and friends will follow from 12 pm to 2 pm at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, 38 Main St., Highland, NY. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Kidney Foundation.
For directions or to send online condolence please visit www.torsonememorial.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Hanssen
Daria Hanssen
Yesterday
Peter was a kind and generous father, brother, cousin, uncle, and husband. I hope everyone remembers him like this, as well. This is an anniversary time for all of us who cared about him.
Char
February 8, 2026
I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find you
In the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
Forever in my heart.
Char
January 28, 2025
Margo Brody
July 29, 2020
May God bless you and your family. I wanted to share what Peter Hansen meant to me. Peter was someone who I will never forget. I was one of his students at Kingsborough college (1990-92). I will be forever thankful for Peters help in guiding me to my career path. I had no idea what I was going to do once I graduated. He was a guiding angel that took the time to sit with me, without me asking him to, and figured out the best option for my future. He wasn’t just my teacher, he was my mentor. It’s been many years later and I still think of how caring and selfless Peter was. His selfless act of kindness has impacted me in so many ways. I just wish that I looked him up earlier and been able to express my gratitude to him. I hope this message gets seen by his loved ones. All the best, Margo Brody
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michele (nikki) campo
March 30, 2011
peter my dear friend - ' I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places...................
Jade Doskow
March 26, 2011
Peter was warm, wise, talented and such a sense of humor. He will be infinitely missed.
-Jade
john campo
March 26, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/user/campocat?feature=mhum#p/u/1/8rAwLFyC1O4
Bill Gilson
March 26, 2011
I saw Peter only infrequently over the years when I visited friends and relatives in Pine Bush. I have clear memories of him, though, as I always enjoyed meeting up with him. He was interesting, with a lively curiosity and an unpredictable sense of humor, and he understood the life of the artist. We shared a love of jazz. I send my sympathies to his family.
september 2001
michele campo
March 25, 2011
september 1995
michele campo
March 25, 2011
Dennis Fox
March 25, 2011
I knew Peter as an art teacher at K.C.C. And all I can say is that he was a great person, teacher & artist. My life was better for having known him.
Lisa Brennan
March 25, 2011
Daria,
Please know my thoughts are with you. I will be out of town and cannot make the service, but..please know I'm there in spirit. You are in my prayers. Love, Lisa Brennan
Joseph N. Muzio
March 25, 2011
Peter and I were colleagues at Kingsborough Community College for almost 30 years. We were in separate departments, but we regularly chatted. He was a gentle man, patient, open, and most of all, unpretentious. He would find the time to explain various art forms, tolerate my uninformed views, and always maintain a positive attitude. Frequently, he was surrounded by students. The world's goodness is diminished by his death. My sympathies to his entire family and the rest of his many friends and colleagues. There's never a good time to die.
March 24, 2011
I have such fond memories of Peter Hanssen. We worked together at Kingsborough Community College from the '60's. He always had a smile on his face not matter what was happening. He brightened all our days. My sincere condolences to his family.
Shelly Friedland
Laurie Etman Hornung
March 24, 2011
John, Liz, Julie and all the Hanssen family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You're in my prayers
Gail Cohen
March 24, 2011
To all the Hanssen Family,
So very sorry on your loss. I loved Peter very much. I will miss him. Peter brought a light into the world that was very bright, to everyone who knew him. Now that light is gone and our lives will miss his brightness.
Love to you all,
March 24, 2011
Daria and family
May Mamiya
March 24, 2011
Daria's colleagues at Vassar Brothers Medical Center Case Management Department send heartfelt condolences. May Mamiya
March 23, 2011
Barry Cohen
March 23, 2011
Dearest Peter. I have cherished knowing you. I will miss you every day.
I already do.
at home with gus june, 2009
March 23, 2011
Clair Wendt
March 23, 2011
Daria and all the family: Words cannot express the sorrow all of the Harding family feels. Peter was deeply loved by all of us and we will be sure to keep his memory alive. He had a heart of gold and a twinkle in his eye that was to be envied. Rest in peace Peter--until we all meet again. May God bless all of you and give you strength during this difficult time. - Clair Harding Wendt and family
Theresa Felleman
March 23, 2011
I will miss seeing Peter at the Heart Center.... Theresa
Sarah
March 23, 2011
March 23, 2011
Sarah and family: So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. We did not have the opportunity to meet him, yet we can see his artistic and witty influence in your life. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Eddie and Margaret Johnson, Indianapolis
March 23, 2011
Peter was such a cheerful fellow. With deepest sympathy, love, and prayers.
Patti, Fishkill
Lisa Mckenzie
March 23, 2011
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Daria, you are in my prayer. Lisa M. (NY)
March 23, 2011
My deepest condolences on your lost, Daria. My sympathy to your and your family-Sharone
March 23, 2011
To Sarah, John and the rest of the family,
Our condolences to you on the passing of your father/husband. I had the opportunity to meet Peter and was very entertained by his wit. I hope that you laugh thinking about his quirkiness. God Bless.
Catherine Bixenstine (John's sister) and children
Janet Hal
March 22, 2011
Peter touched our lives in a good way. John, Liz, Julie, Sarah and the rest of his loved ones, we are sorry for your loss and here's to the good memories...we are grateful for the time we spent with him - Janet and Hal
Missy and Conor Chamberlain
March 22, 2011
Sarah and Family, you have my deepest condolences. You and your father are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sean
March 22, 2011
Rest in Peace Peter..
Anne Linn
March 22, 2011
John, Liz, Julie, and Sarah,
He was 1 of a kind, and I will never forget him. I hope that the good memories will comfort you during this difficult time.
Peter Mikalunas
March 22, 2011
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
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