James Geoffrey Hanson (19 May 1944 - 12 Aug 2020)

James Geoffrey Hanson, known to friends and family as Geoff, passed away suddenly at home on 12 August aged 76.

A life-long Silsden man, Geoff was educated at Hothfield Street and Eshton Hall schools, and attained a HNC in electrical engineering at Bradford College. He followed into the family business of G.E. Hanson Ltd of Briggate, Silsden. As a TV and electronics engineer, Geoff sold and serviced many of Silsden’s first television sets, and often turned out late in the evening or in poor weather to make TV repairs.

Geoff was a keen golfer and angler, and was a long-standing member of Silsden Golf Club and Keighley and Bradford Angling Clubs. Geoff was a skilled plantsman, and one of his fuchsias (‘Wharfedale’) attained the RHS Award of Garden Merit. With an enviable memory for general knowledge, Geoff was a formidable opponent in local pub quizzes. It is to his credit that Geoff maintained these interests following a severe stroke at the age of 37. He stoically battled disability for the remainder of his adult life.

Geoff provided encouragement, support and good humour to his family, and will be much missed by his children James and Lynda, grandchildren Matthew, Thomas, Holly and Jacob, and ex-wife Dorothy.

Due to the present circumstances a private family funeral will take place on Saturday 5th September at St James Church, Silsden at 10.00am. Anyone wishing to pay their respects may gather outside at the church to do so.