Richard Francis Hanks (1893 - 1969)

Born 2 Aug 1893 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Ida Marie Bourgault — married 26 Jun 1923 in Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died May 1969 at age 75 in Palmetto, Manatee, Florida, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Hanks [send private message]

Biography

Son of Henry, Dick Hanks was a musician and saloon keeper in Cleghorn section of Fitchburg Ma. Served in France WW1 with US Army as sergeant 539 construction battalion (colored) supply line service, general construction, building railyards and bakerys, surviving shelling he was wounded and returned home in1919, awarded special service commendation and purple heart. Back home he worked on the family farm in Westminster Ma. delivering dairy to local homes and business when he met met Ida working at a market in the Cleghorn section of Fitchburg, they married and raised a family in the Cleghorn, west Fitchburg area. Dick purchased a former saloon on River St. near the family home at 117 Ashburnham St. closed during prohibition and turned it into Hanks Spa a lunch venue which featured dining and dancing in the upstairs ballroom. After prohibition the bar reopened and he led Dick Hanks and his Playboy Orchestra during 1930's and 40's entertaining throughout new england. A multi-instrumentalist he could handle piano, fiddle, trumpet trombone clarinet ,and more, playing pop swing and classics of the big bands. He was a fine violinist playing an instrument he bought in France while recovering from his wounds. His uncle Nelson Hanks also played and was remembered for being a masterful entertainer. Visiting the spa kids would be treated with an upright player piano, select a paper scoll with holes in it, insert, and pump foot pedals to play a song words and music printed on the sheet which would scroll down as you pumped the pedals. When retired they moved to Florida to enjoy their final years away from the New England winters, and among the sweet orange groves of the gulf coast.

"Richard Francis Hanks Family Tree https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYHQ-HHT Baptised 8-5-1893 St. Mary's Marlborough Mass. Godparents Regis Auclair, Delima Richard Marriage 6-26-1923 St.Josephs Fitchburg Mass. Death: date - city, Brevard, Florida, United States

U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Birth, Marriage & Death

Name: Sgt Richard Francis Hanks Sr

Spouse: Mrs Ida M Hanks

Mother: Margaret Legere Hanks

Father: Henry Hanks

More: See all information...

1940 United States Federal Census Census & Voter Lists View Image https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M1-WGF4?i=20&wc=QZXB-9LP%3A790102901%2C798377301%2C802309301%2C953449101%3Fcc%3D2000219&cc=2000219

Name: Richard F. Hanks

Spouse: Ida Hanks

Birth: August 2 1893 - Massachusetts https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYHQ-HHT?mode=g&cc=1536925 Residence: 1935 - Fitchburg, Worcester, Massachusetts

Residence: Fitchburg, Worcester, Massachusetts

1930 United States Federal Census Census & Voter Lists View Image

Name: Richard Hankshttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5G-5M5L

Spouse: Ida M Hanks

Other: Richard Hanks

Birth: abt 1894 - Massachusetts

Residence: 1930 - city, Worcester, Massachusetts

Public Member Photos & Scanned Documents Pictures

Photo: Richard and Ida Hanks wedding picture

Category: Other

Attached To: Richard Francis Hanks (1893-1969)

Public Member Photos & Scanned Documents Pictures

Photo: Richard Hanks

Category: Portrait

Attached To: Richard Francis Hanks (1893-1969)

1920 United States Federal Census Census & Voter Lists View Image

Name: Richard Hanks

Mother: Marguerete Hanks

Father: Henry Hanks

Birth: abt 1895 - Massachusetts

Residence: 1920 - city, Worcester, Massachusetts

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 Birth, Marriage & Death

Name: Richard Hanks

Birth: date (August 2, 1893)

Death: dd mm 1969 - city, Orange, Florida, USA (May 1969)

Civil: Massachusetts."

Ancestry.com link

Sources

• Family