Frederick C. Hansell Sr., instrument mechanic

Frederick C. Hansell Sr., 92, a retired instrument mechanic and Narberth community activist, died of cancer Friday, May 27, at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Mr. Hansell grew up in Narberth and was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church of Narberth. He and his wife volunteered backstage for productions of the Narberth Community Theatre, which is housed in the church.

He was active with the Narberth Improvement Community Endeavor and, in 1992, helped construct the gazebo in Narberth Park that is used every summer for concerts. Materials for the gazebo were donated by the Narberth Fourth of July Committee.

Mr. Hansell graduated from Lower Merion High School, where he met his future wife, Nancy Easby.

During World War II, he served in the Army Air Forces with the Military Police in the South Pacific.

For 20 years, he was an instrument mechanic at Container Corp. of America in Manayunk and was a member of Local 835 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He also helped out at the family-owned Hansell's Atlantic Gas Station in Narberth and at Hansell's Car Dealership in Oakmont. He retired in 1981.

His hobbies included gardening, travel, and making nail sculptures for family and friends. He was a birder and made several birdhouses with the help of his grandchildren, his son Frederick said. He loved to entertain his grandchildren with watermelon-seed spitting contests in the backyard, his son said.

Besides his wife of 68 years and son, Mr. Hansell is survived by a son, Robert; a daughter, Joan Wood; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at noon Thursday, June 2, at Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home, 30 E. Athens Ave., Ardmore. Friends may call from 11 a.m.

Donations may be made to Narberth Fourth of July Committee, Box 710, Narberth 19072 for a "Fred Bench" in Narberth Park.