Mr. Tor Hansen, age 94 years, passed away peacefully at Roseview Manor on July 25, 2016, with his wife Maureen at his side.
Tor was born to Sigrid and Harald Hansen on September 20, 1921 in Oslo, Norway, and he immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of six. His formative years were spent in Fort William where he attended Francis Street Elementary and Selkirk Vocational High School.
Tor's interest in skiing began at an early age, joining his brothers as they honed their jumping skills with an eye toward competitive ski jumping. However, this dream was interrupted by service as a gun layer in World War II. Upon discharge from the army, Tor's career took an artistic turn when he was employed at Chapples Department Store in the display department. It was in that capacity that he facilitated the annual Santa Claus show, working as a designer and decorator, as well as performing as Mister Chris.
In the early 1960's, together with his brother Knute, Tor established the Little Norway ski hill which they envisioned becoming a training centre for downhill skiers and jumpers. This adventurous endeavour had Tor doing everything from installing a beam single-handedly by jockeying it up a ladder one rung at a time to fleeing a runaway chainsaw. He then spent several years employed at Andrew Coffey Menswear before forming his own design firm, Tecor Enterprises, which provided window displays and sign painting services to many local businesses.
In 1981, Tor joined the many volunteers involved in the “Awakening the Giant” ceremony for the Jeux Canada Games. He was very proud of his work, supervising the building of the 20 foot tall wood and paper-mache creation. Tor's artistic talents were often called upon to assist many local arts groups with set design and construction, making him a valued contributor to the Fort William Little Theatre, and Cambrian Players.
He stage managed several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas with the Lakehead Choral Group which was where he met his future wife, Maureen McMillan (Moe). They married in 1974, and shared many happy years together hosting and attending countless social events, making long-lasting friendships along the way. Tor's favourite place on earth was the camp at Shebandowan Lake where he spent every summer enjoying both the peace and quiet and the raucous good times.
In 1995, Tor served as a local ambassador for the World Nordic Games, meeting coaches and athletes from all over the world. The publicity from that event let to the discovery of previously unknown relatives in Norway, and resulted in Tor returning to the land of his birth during a European vacation in 1997.
Above all, Tor will be remembered for his zest for life – as evidenced by his whoops of appreciation when he attended musical or theatrical performances.
Tor is survived by his wife Maureen; grandson Nils; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews from both the Hansen and McMillan families – all of whom were important to and loved by him.
A celebration of Tor's life will be held on Saturday July 30, 2016 at 11:00 am in the Valhalla Inn Ballroom. If friends so desire, donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Thunder Bay would be greatly appreciated.
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