Lester G. Hanley

Lester George Hanley, age 70, passed away on December 27, 2024 at Brookdale Meridian Lakewood. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Gina Hanley, and his daughter, Krista Hanley.

Les was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on November 26, 1954 to George and Lorraine Hanley; although George didn’t meet his son for an entire year as he was stationed in Korea. Les’ youth was spent in Bethel, Connecticut, where he was active in Boy Scouts and putting in many miles on bicycle delivering papers in his rural community. He was a long-distance runner and competed on the track team for Bethel High School, where he graduated in 1972.

Les moved with his parents to Belen, New Mexico in 1972, and he attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque for two years. For work, Les was employed by his father and various others, gaining skills in carpentry. 

Les and Virginia Lois Walmsley (Gina) met in 1976 in Albuquerque. On July 30, 1977 they were married in the Manzano Mountains. The couple moved to Colorado in 1979, and they have resided in South Jefferson County for over 40 years. Krista, their only child and the apple of Les’ eye, was born in 1981.

Les was a master craftsman. He built furniture, homes, installed windows, did finish work, was a certified locksmith, and added many carpentry elements to his own home. But he had many creative pursuits beyond his job; he was an excellent nature photographer and took his camera everywhere. This passion was shared with his daughter.

Always physically active, Les became an avid mountain biker in the mid 1990s, participating in many bike races throughout Colorado. A favorite trek was from home, through Chatfield park, up Waterton Canyon, and back (on a workday, before dinner). He also loved fly fishing, and he made his own custom fly rods. Lester had a passion for the west – road-tripping, hiking, biking, skiing, and camping in many locations throughout New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon.

Gina and Les shared a passion for theatrical productions, spending over 30 years as season ticket holders of the Denver Center Theater; Les particularly enjoyed Shakespeare.

Lester struggled with the slow progression of Myotonic Dystrophy since his diagnosis at age 47. Up until the last few years, Les was able to miraculously keep walking, likely due to his high level of physical fitness throughout his life.

Lester will be missed dearly by his wife, daughter, and friends.

A Celebration of Lester’s life will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 10:30AM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood. Lester will be laid to rest at Littleton Cemetery that same day, 6155 South Price Street, Littleton, Colorado.

Flowers can be sent to Horan and McConaty Mortuary (3101 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80227). If you would like to make a donation, please consider the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation https://www.myotonic.org/.

Please share your memories of Les and condolences with his family by signing the guest book below.