Karl L. Hanner, of Southborough, died at the age of 80 on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, after suffering a heart attack while riding his bike near his family’s beloved Pine Island Lake house in Westhampton, Massachusetts. He died with his beloved wife by his side.
Karl was the son of the late Reinhold and Maria (Gilman) Hanner and husband of Pamela A. (Mercurio) Hanner. Karl and Pam were married for 42 years. He was predeceased by his brother, Erik Hanner.
Along with his wife Pamela, Karl is survived by his daughter Kristen Hanner Mader of Pelham, NH, his son Jeffrey Hanner and family of Dallas, TX, and his sister Siri Hanner of Salem, MA. Karl is also survived by his grandchildren, Kyle, Brooke and Kate Mader.
Karl grew up in Holyoke, MA. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration at Northeastern University under the ROTC program, then married his first wife and became a dad to two beautiful children, Kristen and Jeffrey. Karl joined the U.S. Army and served his country honorably in Vietnam. He then returned to Northeastern University to earn an M.S. in Accounting. Karl went on to become a creative entrepreneur and general contractor, building many homes in Middlesex and Worcester Counties.
Karl was a life force. He shared his love of skiing and Pine Island Lake with his children, and actively supported their involvement in the Buddy Warner Ski Program. In 1986, Karl and his wife Pamela purchased a farmhouse ski home in Stowe, Vermont where they have enjoyed every winter ever since. Karl loved to ski moguls on the Chin Clip Trail at Stowe Mountain Resort. He also loved mountain biking and competed in mountain bike race events as a Senior rider throughout the 1990’s. He continued to enjoy serious mountain biking and road biking to the very end. Karl most enjoyed riding the hilly country roads near Pine Island Lake. He loved the serenity of the lake and was a good friend to many neighbors during the beautiful New England summers. He could often be seen clomping around his home in his steel clip biking shoes, helmet, and bike attire, taking way too long to get ready for a ride that could last for hours. He was friendly and loved to chat and converse with everyone, especially anyone walking a dog. Karl was a talented and serious amateur classical pianist practicing and playing for hours many nights after dinner at home
Karl’s wife Pamela was his best friend and the great love of his life. They met and fell in love in 1977, married at the top of the mountain at Snowbird Utah in 1982 and were soulmates for life. Through the years, Karl and Pam loved and doted on their beloved Cocker Spaniels, Metaxa, Beethoven, Frederick, and Percy.
Many people knew Karl and enjoyed his friendly, outgoing, and mischievous personality. Karl was proud to drive his beloved “daily driver”, a 1987 Chevy El Camino with 350,000 original miles all over Southborough with his dog Percy as his sidekick. Karl and Percy would stop by Saint Mary’s Credit Union many times a week to get treats for Percy and transact one thing or another. Karl and Percy would also go to Dunkin Donuts Drive-Thru, Ace Hardware, Southborough Transfer Station, and anywhere else where dogs are allowed in search of dog treats and friendly conversation.
Karl was a beloved landlord to his tenants at his Hopkinton multi-family home. He was his own property manager who would try to do everything by himself. Karl could fix almost anything that needed fixing. Sadly, he cannot fix the huge hole that is left in the hearts of everyone who loved him.
Visiting hours for Karl will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 2:00-4:00PM at the Morris-Johnston Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 17 at 11am at Westhampton Congregational United Church of Christ, 1 Tob Hill Rd., Westhampton, MA 01027. Burial will follow at Center Cemetery, Cemetery Rd., Westhampton, MA.
(Photo and Obituary via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home)
