James Arthur Hansell

   “What has four wheels and flies? -- A GARBAGE WAGON!” reveals Jimmy Hansell with a shy grin and a pleasant tremor of joyous self-satisfaction at closure of his favorite joke.  He makes his family laugh, too—Brother John Hansell, Sister-in-law Kathy, nephew Johnny, niece Julie Jackson, her husband Scott, and their children Amanda and Benjamin Thomas Jackson. 

   And his riddles and jokes, completely memorized rendition of “The Night Before Christmas”, common and obscure Mother Goose rhymes and poems also please the loving and caring, faithful staff at Bentley Cottage at Sonoma Developmental Center in Eldridge, CA.  After 60 years at SDC, including the last 29 years at Bentley Cottage, on Sunday morning, September 3, 2017, Jim Hansell gently moved on from his family and friends.  During those six decades he enjoyed being in the Equestrian Special Olympics, field trips to Train Town, county fairs, and the traditional McDonald’s vanilla milkshakes.

   The youngest son of Elvan and Blanche Hansell, Jim was a resident at SDC since 1956.  He had been at Bentley Cottage, a very special, caring place, since 1988.  Born in San Francisco, young Jimmy also lived in Hayward, Oakdale, Campbell, and Castro Valley before coming to SDC.

   A short, informal Memorial Ceremony open to the public will be held for Jim Hansell in the serene patio Courtyard at Bentley Cottage, Sonoma Developmental Center, Eldridge, CA on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 3 p.m.  Interment will be at Mt. View Cemetery in Oakland, CA.  If you wish, contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the charity of your choice. 

 Service Information