SACO – Roderick “RJ” Hanson passed away on Nov. 10, 2021.

He was the youngest of four children born to Ellen (O’Neill) Hanson and Charles Dwight Hanson. He was raised in Danvers, Mass. where he graduated from Danvers High School in 1969. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and majored in communications. He was a DJ at the college radio station.

RJ’s talent, voice, and love of music led him to work as an announcer at WNTN, Newton, Mass., WCOZ, Boston, WMGX and WCLZ, Portland, Maine. His most notable tenure in radio, from 1975 to 1982, was at WBLM, “The Blimp”, when it was broadcasting from a trailer in Litchfield. Bob Fuller of Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting, notes that “RJ was the first morning man I hired and a very talented host.” RJ’s quick wit, dry humor and banter made him a popular morning show host. After his radio career, RJ held a variety of sales jobs in insurance and sales training. He was most recently employed as a customer service representative for Martin’s Point Healthcare.

RJ married Susan Baylis in 1987 and they were married for 33 years. They enjoyed many activities together. They played golf, visited museums, enjoyed U2 concerts and cycled the carriage trails in Acadia National Park. They also travelled together. He especially enjoyed a 2017 visit to Ireland when he was able to see the area where his ancestors, the O’Neill’s, originated.

Road cycling became a passion for RJ. He spent many hours travelling around the roads of coastal Maine on his custom-built bike. RJ loved animals and was a “doting dad” to their rescue labs Tuggie and Mary Poppins.

He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Mary Lee Henderson and Judy Bean, and brother, Dwight Hanson.

RJ is loved and remembered by his wife, Susan; and his extended family of in-laws; nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland, 172 State St. To view RJ’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

Memorial contributions may be made in RJ’s memory to the

Good Shepherd Food Bank,

P.O. Box 1807,

Auburn, ME 04211-1807; or

Animal Refuge League,

P.O. Box 336,

Westbrook, ME 04098