Howard F. Hansell III

Howard Forde Hansell III, age 89, of Erdenheim, Pennsylvania, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family and caregivers.

 

Born on December 1, 1935, in New York City, Howard F. Hansell was one of four children of Howard F. Hansell, Jr. and Isabel Johnson Hansell.   The family moved to Philadelphia, PA during World War II—as his father was in the defense industry.   Howard remained in Philadelphia and attended William Penn Charter School, La Salle College High School, and Villanova University, where he earned his Master’s degree in Statistics.

 

Howard married Sallyanne Parker on Saturday, August 27, 1960, and together they shared 65 years of marriage and had two children.

 

Howard had a passion for golf, tennis, classical music, reading The New Yorker, and listening to Frank Sinatra. He enjoyed walks in nature and cherished trips to Beach Haven, New Jersey, where time at the beach and a meal at The Holiday Snack Bar became a beloved Hansell summer family tradition.

 

He was known for his strong work ethic, generosity, kindness, good heart, and a genuine curiosity for learning and trying new things—especially in retirement from his career as an electrical engineer.  Howard gave back to his community by volunteering for neighborhood town watch and by his involvement in the Erdenheim Civic Association.   Among his many later-in-life pursuits were social media, learning to play the clarinet, studying Spanish, and exploring bookkeeping.

 

Later in life, Howard found new ways to be of service to others, taking on meaningful roles as a bookkeeper for Bird and Hand Consignment, a transportation associate for Adult Care Total Services, Inc., and a flower delivery driver for Robertson’s Florist.

 

Howard is survived by his loving wife, Sally; his sons, Howard Forde Hansell IV and George Forde Hansell II; daughters-in-law, Carolina Hansell and Tracey Hansell; and his beloved granddaughters, Sarah Caldwell, Emily Hansell, and Kelsie Hansell. He is also survived by his sister, Susan Bianchi, and nieces, Linn Parrish Elmes, Wayne Parrish, and Susan “Scottie” Parrish.

 

Details on a celebration of life service and luncheon are forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Bird and Hand Consignment Shop, whose work benefits the Chestnut Hill community of Philadelphia, PA.

Howard will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.