Martin Hanschke

Martin Erwin Hanschke (24 February 1939 - 24 July 2008) was a printing businessman and German immigrant who lived most of his life in Thunder Bay.

Early life

Hanschke was born in Germany to Hermann and Hedwig Hanschke on 24 February 1939. He also had three siblings: Gerhard, Helmut, and Gertrude.

Later life

He moved to Canada in 1957 and to Thunder Bay in 1971.

He married Violet and had one son, Herman, born in 1981.

He enjoyed Wheel of Fortune and had a great "father" sense of humour that he was not afraid to impose on others.

Career

In Thunder Bay he worked as a salesperson for Burroughs, accumulating an impressive collection of their Series L mainframe computers at his home which may have served to inspire his son Herman to become interested in computers.

With the PC revolution at hand, and the mainframe business passing into history, he became a Safeguard Business Systems distributor in 1984.

Death

Hanschke died on 24 July 2008 of cancer. His funeral was on 30 July 2008 at 10:00 at Blake Funeral Chapel.

His son inherited his business on his death.

Mr. Martin Erwin Hanschke age 69 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Thursday July 24, 2008. Martin was born February 24, 1939 in Germany. He moved to Canada in 1957 and to Thunder Bay in 1971 where he worked as a salesperson for Burroughs before becoming a Safeguard Business Systems distributor in 1984. Martin is survived by his wife Violet and her family, son Herman, brother Gerhard and his family. Martin is predeceased by his father Hermann, brother Helmut, mother Hedwig, and sister Gertrude (Herbert). Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Blake Funeral Chapel, with Pastor David Kimball officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Blake Funeral Chapel. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society would be appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of Martin Hanschke in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 28, 2009. On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com"

— The Chronicle-Journal, circa 25 July 2008

Sources

The Chronicle-Journal, circa 25 July 2008 [1]