York Harbor - Harald F. Hansen, 97, died at Sentry Hill in York on Thursday, March 23, 2017.

He was born in Hamburg, Germany on December 29, 1919, the only child of Einar and Kaethe (Schlieman) Hansen. The family emigrated to Boston, MA in 1933, where his father played violin in the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Harald was educated in Boston, later graduating from the Juilliard School, with clarinet as his principal instrument. Harald and his father played Sunday evenings in the summer at the Marshall House in York Harbor. He met Norma Hansen of York, and they married on October 19, 1948.

Harald played clarinet in the Barnum and Bailey Circus Band, traveling from city to city by train. He joined the Indianapolis Symph0ny in 1951, retiring in 1986 as personnel manager. He also taught music at Ball University.

The family retired to York Harbor in 1995, winterizing the family's summer home.

Harald was predeceased by his wife, Norma in 2014. He leaves a daughter, Erika Vega Hansen of Sanford, Maine, as well as nephews and nieces: Anne, Eric, Mark and Lief and their families of Pennsylvania, Donald of California, and Gary of Maine and their families. Harald is also survived by dear family friend, Regina Donnell and her husband Steven Gray of York.

The family wishes to thank the Sentry Hill staff for the exceptional, loving care for both Norma and Harald.

A private burial service will be held later in the spring. Please remember Harald's love and devotion to his family and friends, his very dry wit, and his delight in sharing memories and stories. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. Visit: www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book or to share a memory. Care for the Hansen family has been entrusted to the J. S. Pelkey Funeral Home.