Long-time Fountain Hills resident and civic leader Bruce Hansen passed away Aug. 11, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Town Councilwoman Cassie Hansen.

An Arizonian since 1944, Bruce began his long career in the telecommunications field starting out as a lineman for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph (now Century Link) in 1951. Installing telecommunication infrastructure throughout the state, Mr. Hansen experienced first-hand the colorful past of rural Arizona.

Bruce started his own telecommunications business, CBH Communications, in 1983 serving such clients as La Posada Resort, Sonora Labs, the Federal Prison and the University of Arizona.

After moving to Fountain Hills with wife, Cassie and working on the successful incorporation of the town in 1989, Bruce began his first term on the Sanitary District Board of Directors in 1990 and has served on the board for all but six of the years since.

He has also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission (chair for two years), the Chamber of Commerce Board (president three years), Sunrise and Noon Kiwanis (president 2.5 years), and had become well known for his spaghetti fundraisers raising thousands of dollars for sick and homeless children, the local museum and local community organizations.

He served on the original Boys and Girls Club Board, ultimately donating labor and cable to wire the new facility for telephone, data and television.