Seaside Park, NJ – Behind the counter at Grumpys Tackle, where salty jokes mixed with fishing tips and every customer got a dose of tough love, Tom “Grumpy” Hansen built more than just a bait shop — he built a legacy. That legacy was shaken this week as word spread of Hansen’s passing, leaving Seaside Park locals and the fishing community stunned by the loss of a man known simply, and affectionately, as “Grumpy.”

Grumpy was definitely a character. About ten years ago, I went into the shop. He was a good friend of my father, and I introduced myself as “Don’s son”.

We never met before, and his reply was simple and short, “Sorry to hear about that.”

He lived up to his reputation and the first impression was great.

Hansen, co-founder and patriarch of Grumpys Tackle, died earlier this week,

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