Curtis W. Hansen, age 63, who resided in Milford, passed away at Milford Hospital, Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
Born and raised in New York City, he was the son of the late Neal Cassady and Diana Hansen.
He attended Northfield Mt. Hermon School in Massachusetts. Curt was a 1974 Cum Laude graduate of Boston University and in 2006, he earned an MBA from the University of New Haven.
In 1983, Curt co-founded and launched WEBE (107.9 FM) “WEBE108,” which rapidly became the number one rated radio station in Bridgeport, New Haven and Fairfield County CT with its adult contemporary music format and an emphasis on community service. He added responsibility for heritage full service AM station WICC (600 AM) when it was purchased by the owners of WEBE. Atlanta-based Cumulus Media purchased WEBE and WICC in 2002, along with radio stations in White Plains and Poughkeepsie NY, and Danbury CT. Cumulus tapped Curt to oversee all 12 area stations as Regional VP, Operations and Programming.
Curt retired due to declining health in December 2012. Prior to his 29 years with WEBE/WICC, Curt served as operations manager and program director of New Haven stations WKCI “KC101” (101.3 FM) and WAVZ (1300 AM). He previously held music director and on-air positions at radio stations WSAR (AM) Fall River, MA, WGNG (AM) Providence, RI, WEIM (AM) Fitchburg, MA, WCFR AM/FM Springfield, VT, and WTSA AM/FM, Brattleboro, VT.
Curt is survived by his son Curtis and daughter-in-law Sara of San Jose, CA; his sister Valerie Rahn of Malibu CA, nephews, Noah and Luke Rahn, along with many devoted friends and colleagues.
Calling hours will be held at the Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, 135 N. Broad Street in Milford, Wednesday May 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. A Masonic service will be held during the visitation.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Curt’s memory to: the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd, Newington, CT 06111, the Boys and Girls Club of Milford, 14 Benham Ave., Milford, CT 06460.