Col. Thomas Edward Hansen, Sr., 79, of Allentown passed away Wednesday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton. He was born in his family home in Lyndhurst, NJ, and resided in that area until his marriage to JoAnn Carlson in 1956. Col. Hansen was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and earned his Masters Degree and CPA from Seton Hall University. Col. Hansen moved to Northfield, NJ where he started his family and worked at NAFEC in Pamona, NJ. In 1979 he and his family moved to Lawrenceville, NJ where he took over the position of USPFO at the National Guard Headquarters located on Eggerts Crossing Road. After his retirement, in May 1988, he and his wife, JoAnn, moved to Hilton Head, SC where he became an avid golfer before returning to Allentown in 2003. A career of 40 plus year in the military, he served in the Army during the Korean War, the Air Force during the Vietnam Era and the Air National Guard until his retirement. Prior to retiring he built a cabin in Mt. View, NY, where he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. After retirement he and his wife enjoyed traveling with friends and spending the summers at the lake house.

Son of the late John and Ellen Hansen, he was predeceased by four siblings. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, JoAnn Carlson Hansen; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas E. and Barbara Hansen of Park City, Utah; two daughters and a son-in-law, Debra L. and Thomas P. Gafgen of Robbinsville and Karen DelGrande of Yardville; nine grandchildren, Jeffrey, Stephen and Stephanie Hansen, Kyle and Kevin Gafgen and Ryan, Daniel, Ashley and Colleen DelGrande; three sisters, Ellen Pavero of Nutley, Edna Grassle and Katherine Peake both of Lyndhurst; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held Saturday 10am at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St. Allentown. Friends may call from 9-10 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, the American Cancer Society or the Huntsman Cancer Institute of Salt Lake City Utah.