John Edward Hanskat, 85, best known as a “happy camper” with a loveable wit, died suddenly at his St. Petersburg home on March 20, 2014.
Born 1928 in Chicago, he came to Pas-a-Grille, St. Pete Beach at an early age. There he attended Sunshine School and was a graduate of St. Petersburg High School where he earned a track scholarship to the University of Florida.
A member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, he received a degree in civil engineering then served in the air force at Mountain Home, Idaho.
He worked with Buchnell Steel in Jacksonville, then joined Ceco Corp. as district then regional manager in Detroit and in Miami.
His career next took him to George Hyman Construction in Bethesda, MD. He retired in 1990 when his late wife, Judy, was diagnosed with terminal emphysema and they moved to Jacksonville, Ore., where she died two years later.
John returned to St. Petersburg where he married Kitty Morrison Frease, who died in 2006, also of emphysema.
Although widowed twice, John still had a wonderful life. At the time of his death, he had been married for seven years to the former Patsy Baker who sharpened her bridge skills, because that was his hobby. He also became proficient at golf, as that was her hobby. Together, they toured the country, visiting family and friends, dividing their “home” time between St. Petersburg and Tryon.
“He was special,” said longtime friend, Marilyn Latham Mathis. “He was a good friend to everyone. Wherever he was, he fit in.”
“He put sunshine in peoples’ lives,” said Tinker McKee
In addition to Patsy, John is survived by daughter Cynthia LeVee; sons Randy and Charles; five grandsons; and two great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life took place on Saturday, April 12 at Unity Church of St. Petersburg.
In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations may be made to: Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Foothills Humane Society, Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry or Holy Cross Episcopal Church.