Thomas Allan Hansmann

1949 - 2017

Thomas Allan Hansmann
April 9, 1949 - May 9, 2017
Tom Hansmann was born on April 9, 1949, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was the second son to parents John and Ione Hansmann, Tom passed away May 9, 2017 after a courageous 8-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Tom moved with his family from Moorhead, Minnesota to Santa Cruz in 1961. He graduated from Santa Cruz High in 1968.
Tom loved cars and he and his brother Joe were always fixing up hot rods as teens. He joined the Navy and did two tours of duty to Vietnam during the war, where he was machinist mate.
Tom along with his four brothers Steve, Joe, Jim and Mike all learned to be master builders from their father John Hansmann. He was a talented carpenter and built many homes throughout Santa Cruz and Grass Valley, CA.
Tom was very creative and had the nick name Light Bulb Tom, LBT for short.
He invented a device called the Wall-Racker that used a pulley system to plumb and line walls in construction, he patterned it from the pulley systems he used on sailboats.
He loved sailing. He did many trips sailing the Merlin back from Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas with good friends Tom Carr and Gary Formo. He was most proud of sailing at times only using a sextant for navigation.
He also loved fishing for salmon in the Monterey Bay with his brother Steve and his friends, and was busy fixing up his fishing boat only a few days before his passing.
He was a very kind and caring person and would do anything for a friend. He also had a great sense of humor. Tom will be truly missed by many friends and family members. He is survived by his son Daryl of Washington, long time companion Betty Young, his four brothers Steve, Joe, Jim, Mike, sister Ann Powell and many nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his father and mother John and Ione Hansmann. The family would like to thank Hospice of Santa Cruz for their help and kindness. There will be a celebration of life on Sunday June 25th at 12:00, Seascape Golf Course, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos, friends of Tom are welcome.
Please visit the Benito and Azzaro homepage to sign in and share your thoughts and condolences with his family. Any kind acts of charity can be made in his memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz County (940 Disc Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066)


View the online memorial for Thomas Allan Hansmann